NFL Spin Zone
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5 Players the New York Jets should have never let get away

By Randy Gurzi

7 Nov 1999: Keyshawn Johnson #19 of the New York Jets carries the ball during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Cardinals 12-7.
7 Nov 1999: Keyshawn Johnson #19 of the New York Jets carries the ball during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Cardinals 12-7. /
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30 Jan 1983: Running back John Riggins #44 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the Super Bowl XVII against the Miami Dolphins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Redskins won the game, 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport
30 Jan 1983: Running back John Riggins #44 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the Super Bowl XVII against the Miami Dolphins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Redskins won the game, 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport /

3. John Riggins, Running Back

John Riggins, who was also known as “Riggo,” or the Diesel,” had a remarkable NFL career. He played for 14 seasons and during that span, the running back was a two-time yardage leader in the NFL, won the 1978 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award and was a Super Bowl MVP after going for 166 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XVII.

All those accomplishments came as a member of the Washington Redskins, but it was the New York Jets who originally drafted him out of Kansas.

Riggins spent the first five seasons of his career with the Jets and had a respectable start to his career. He went for 3,880 yards and 25 touchdowns, with his best season coming in 1975. He was named to the Pro Bowl that year after going for 1,005 yards and eight touchdowns — both of which were career-highs with New York.

Following that season, he left to join the Redskins where he went from a good running back to one of the best in the game. Riggins played nine more seasons in the league and topped the 1,000-yard mark four times in that span. His best personal statistical season came in 193 when the 34-year old had 1,347 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns, which was an NFL record that stood until 1995 when Emmitt Smith topped him — others have done so since then with LaDanian Tomlinson now leading with 28 in a season.

Riggins is the Redskins all-time rushing leader with 7,472 yards and has their most touchdowns on the ground with 79. Had he stayed in New York for his entire career, his total numbers (11,352 yards and 104 touchdowns) would have put him atop their record books.

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