For decades, John Riggins’ #44 occupied a curious place in Washington lore. Everyone knew it belonged to the man they called ‘The Diesel’ yet, unlike many of the franchise’s greatest players, it had never been formally retired.

That anomaly will finally be erased on November 8th, when the Commanders retire Riggins’ iconic jersey during their Week 9 home game against the Los Angeles Rams, making him just the seventh player in the franchise’s 94-year history to receive the honour.

The decision represents another significant step in the Josh Harris ownership group’s ongoing efforts to reconnect the organisation with its history after years in which relationships with many former stars became strained. Since taking control in 2023, Harris has placed increasing emphasis on celebrating Washington’s championship heritage, with Darrell Green and Art Monk also having their numbers retired in recent seasons.

For Riggins, however, the honour feels especially fitting. Few players are more closely associated with a single moment in NFL history than the Hall of Fame running back’s unforgettable 43-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-one in Super Bowl XVII, a play that transformed a tight contest against the Miami Dolphins into Washington’s first Lombardi Trophy and cemented his place among the game’s immortals.

His résumé extends well beyond one iconic run though. The Super Bowl XVII MVP after gaining 166 yards on 38 carries, as well as a first team All-Pro selection, two-time NFL rushing touchdowns leader, member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1980s and Pro Football Hall-of-Famer, ‘Riggo’ retired as the franchise’s all-time leading rusher and remains one of the defining figures of Joe Gibbs’ first championship dynasty. Yet the Commanders’ announcement focused as much on the man as the player.

“There are certain players whose impact goes far beyond statistics, championships and accolades; they become woven into the identity of a franchise. John Riggins is one of those players,” the accompanying statement explained. “‘Riggo’, as many know him, helped define one of the most successful eras in our history. He played the game with a rare combination of physicality, fearlessness and personality that captivated fans and inspired his team-mates.

“His accomplishments on the field speak for themselves, yet what defines John most is who he is as a person. Our fans not only admired him, they identified with him. He is authentic, unapologetically himself and deeply connected to the people around him.

“John has meant so much to this franchise, our fans and the game of football. That’s why we’re proud to retire his #44 on November 8th and honour a legacy that will forever be a part of our history.”

While Washington had effectively treated #44 as an unofficially retired number for many years, the formal ceremony completes a process that many supporters felt was long overdue. Riggins joins Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Sonny Jurgensen, Sean Taylor, Darrell Green and Art Monk as players who, despite being unequivocally tied to the former Redskins name, have seen their numbers officially retired by the modern franchise.

A Big Eight rushing champion who broke Gale Sayers’ rushing record at the University of Kansas, Riggins was sixth player selected in the 1971 NFL Draft, going to the New York Jets and playing in the Big Apple for five years before signing with the Redskins as a free agent in 1976. He duly played the remaining nine seasons of his career in D.C., totalling 8,400 yards from scrimmage and 85 touchdowns on 2,109 touches for Washington. Now 76, Riggins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.