The Washington all-time leading rusher John Riggins does not like the new name, “Commanders.”
On his podcast, “The John Riggins Show” with co-host Tod Castleberry, Riggins looked back to the second year of Daniel Snyder’s ownership. Riggins told of how it was at a downtown restaurant and Riggins even then (2000) suggested to Snyder they should change the name of the team.
Riggins said regarding the Redskins, he really felt it was to honor their people. But after he retired and was hearing of how it offended increasing numbers, he had gotten to the point he was for the name change.
Knowing the name change was coming, Riggins said he never dreamed he was going to feel the way he actually now feels once the new name was adopted last week.
“I feel completely disenfranchised,” said Riggins. “I can’t understand how anyone who once played under the old franchise name could possibly want to be a part of anything to do with the Washington Commanders.”
He acknowledged that for his old teammates and others who played for the Redskins he understands every one of them has to make their own decisions, and are free to handle this how they choose to but also added, “For the guys who showed up last week I look at them and say, ‘What’s wrong with you? Don’t you get it? You were invited to your own funeral.’”
A once great franchise through the Joe Gibbs years experienced hard times most of the last 25 years. The last decade they have been losing fans in large numbers each season to where now they were last in attendance with each home game seeing an inexcusable large number of visiting team’s fans.
Castlebury interjected that “All they have now is hope, every year they are selling hope.”
Regarding possible John Riggins’ Washington Commanders jerseys, Riggins responded, “That makes me feel filthy. I feel dirty, I don’t want anything to do with it. Maybe I will change. Maybe I need a little more time, I don’t know. It just doesn’t feel right to me.”
Riggins sadly talked of how he might describe himself, “John Riggins, played for the ______. Well, who did he play for? I don’t know, can’t say that can you?”
Riggins (age 72) will always be remembered for the greatest, most significant play in Redskins history. In Super Bowl XVII Washington trailed Miami 17-13 in the final quarter facing a fourth & 1 at the Miami 42. Riggins broke a tackle (Don McNeal) and raced for the go-ahead touchdown. Washington scored again to win 27-17 and Riggins was the MVP gaining 166 yards on the day.
No. 44 set an NFL record at the time of 24 rushing touchdowns in the 1983 season at age 34 as Washington finished 14-2, won the NFC, and were defeated by the Los Angeles Raiders in Super Bowl XVIII. He also led the NFL in rushing touchdowns the next season (1984) at age 35.