NFL Legend, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Super Bowl XVII MVP
John Riggins Biography
Running back John Riggins played 175 games in 14 seasons with the New York Jets and Washington Redskins. A Big Eight rushing champion who broke Gale Sayers’ rushing record at the University of Kansas, Riggins was the first pick of the New York Jets and the sixth player selected in the 1971 NFL Draft.
He played in New York for five years but signed with the Redskins in 1976 as a free agent. His nine-year tenure with the Redskins was interrupted in 1980, when he voluntarily sat out the season. Riggins was inducted into the Redskins Ring of Fame in 1990 and further honored by his alma mater when he was inducted into the Kansas University Ring of Honor in 2007.
The 6-2, 230-pound Riggins was not a spectacular running back but he was a classic workhorse ball carrier who specialized in the tough yardage in the big games. He carried 2,916 times for 11,352 yards and 104 touchdowns during his career. He also caught 250 passes for 2,090 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 13,435 combined net yards are among the best ever, as is his 116 touchdowns by rushing and receiving. Riggins played in the 1982 and 1983 NFC championship games and Super Bowls XVII and XVIII and made the most of his comparatively few postseason appearances. He was the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XVII with a then-record 38 carries for 166 yards. He capped off his big day with a 43-yard touchdown run that clinched Washington's 27-17 victory over Miami. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992, he was recognized for his exceptional performance and contributions to the sport.
Riggins rushed over 1,000 yards five times in his career and over 100 yards in 35 games, including a then-record six in post-season. He rushed 251 times for 996 yards and 12 touchdowns in nine post-season contests. Riggins followed his Super Bowl XVII success with a sensational season in 1983 when he rushed for a career-high 1,347 yards and a then-record 24 touchdowns. Following that season, he was named All-Pro for the first time. After retiring from professional football, Riggins hosted "Riggo on the Range," a show on the Discovery Channel, and launched his own food and beverage line, including John Riggins Sausage and John Riggins 4th & 1 Pilsner. He also provides weekly commentating and pre-game analysis on Red Zebra ESPN 980 Radio and serves as a regional spokesperson for Papa John’s Pizza, leveraging his public persona to engage and motivate audiences.
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John Riggins Speaking Topics
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Be A Leader
Have the courage to fail in order to ultimately find success in sports and/or business!
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Seize Your Moment.
I said to Joe Gibbs: "Give me the football. I'm ready to play. Don't take me out." It was my time, and I seized it.
John Riggins Videos
Riggo on the Range on Destination America
Riggo on the Range airs on Discovery's Destination America Thursdays at 10:30 AM and Saturdays at 9:00 AM EST
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How do I book John Riggins to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like John Riggins for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for John Riggins, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for John Riggins or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for John Riggins
Speaking fees for John Riggins, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book John Riggins are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire John Riggins, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does John Riggins speak about?
John Riggins is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Actor, Athlete, Broadcasting, Football, Inspirational, Motivational, Personal Growth, Sports, Sports Journalism & Broadcasting -
Where does John Riggins travel from?
John Riggins generally travels from Maryland, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
Who is John Riggins’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like John Riggins for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book John Riggins for your next private or corporate function. -
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AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host John Riggins or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
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John Riggins is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Be A Leader, Seize Your Moment., Courage, Don’t Give Yourself Permission to Fail. and Do Your Job.. The estimated speaking fee range to book John Riggins for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. John Riggins generally travels from MD, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Shawn Harper, Rocky Bleier, Eric Boles, Kurt Warner and Vince Papale. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling John Riggins for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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