NFL: 30 running backs who got better after leaving their first team
A former first-round pick in the 1971 NFL Draft, John Riggins went from the Kansas Jayhawks to the New York Jets. He was presented as the fullback, but Riggins became a focal point of the team’s offense – both on the ground and through the air.
He spent five seasons with the Jets, rushing for over 1,000 yards and making a Pro Bowl in 1975. It was the first-ever 1,000-yard individual rushing campaign in franchise history.
Riggins was one of the rare pre-1990 NFL free agents, as he signed with the Washington Redskins. After a quiet couple of seasons, the 6-foot-2 running back went for back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and 17 combined total touchdowns. He was historical in other ways too, including sitting out the entire 1980 NFL season due to a contract dispute with the Washington franchise
Riggins returned the following season in 1981 and scored more than he ever did, rushing for 13 touchdowns. But it was in 1982 and 1983 where he started to become a historical great.
The 1982 NFL season was shortened by a players’ strike, but it worked out for the 33-year old, having several great postseason performances, including going for 166 yards on 38 carries to lead Washington to the Super Bowl win over the Miami Dolphins. Riggins was rightfully awarded Super Bowl MVP in the victory.
The new star of the league continued the great run the following year, going for 1,347 yards and a record 24 rushing scores. He also scored in a then-record 12 straight games to boot. The Redskins made the Super Bowl again in 1983, but this time fell short to the then-Los Angeles Raiders.
Even at 35 years old, Riggins went for 1,239 yards and 14 more scores. He finished his career the following year in 1985, scoring eight more times to get the total over 104 for his career, which put him in second place in NFL history at that point.
As a Super Bowl winner and elite rusher, Riggins entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992 after amassing over 13,000 yards on the ground and104 total touchdowns. He has a ton of records that are still held to this day, regarding accomplishments from the oldest running backs.
Considering how backs are treated and often are broken down after age-30, there’s a real chance these records will be around for decades to come. There truly might not be another version of Riggins coming to the NFL ever again.