John Riggins (born August 4, 1949, in Seneca, Kansas) is a former American Football running back, and inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Educated at the University of Kansas, he broke Gale Sayers's career rushing record for the school. He was the first-round draft pick for the New York Jets in the 1971 draft. He spent five years with the Jets, eventually being signed as a free agent by the Washington Redskins in 1976. He remained with Washington until retiring in 1985, but voluntarily sat out the 1980 season over a contractual dispute.

He played in Super Bowl XVII and Super Bowl XVIII for the Redskins, in tandem with quarterback Joe Theismann and Washington's legendary offensive line known collectively as "The Hogs." He had 38 carries for 166 yards in Super Bowl XVII, becoming the game MVP.

Riggins was often known for his hard running style and tough demeanor. He has a career 11,352 yards rushing and 2,090 yards receiving, giving him 13,435 combined yards, among the best ever for a running back. He also scored 104 rushing TDs (116 total) during his career; Riggins scored 24 touchdowns during the 1983 season, a record which stood for 12 years.

Riggins's nightlife drew as much attention as his on-field exploits. In 1985, at a Washington Press Club dinner, an intoxicated Riggins infamously told Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor: "Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight," then passed out on the floor.

John Riggins was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

Since retiring from professional football, Riggins has worked as a sports commentator on television and radio, and is a popular, near-notorious, figure in the Washington D.C. area. In 1994, he began acting lessons and has since starred in Gillette, an off-Broadway play. His television credits include Guiding Light and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

In July 2005, Westwood One announced that Riggins would serve as color commentator for the network's weekly national radio broadcast of Sunday Night Football starting in the 2006 season. Riggins' former teammate Joe Theismann currently performs the same role on ESPN's weekly Sunday night television broadcasts.

Credit: en.wikipedia.org