Category: Finance | Title: John Riggins Career Stats and Earnings Overview | Tag: NFL Career Stats | Meta Description: John Riggins career stats, salary, and earnings data for the NFL running back, with key facts and figures...
John Riggins Career Statistics and NFL Performance
John Riggins was a dominant NFL running back, primarily with the Washington Redskins, accumulating 13,442 rushing yards and 104 rushing touchdowns over 14 seasons, according to Pro Football ReferencePro Football Reference. His career totals place him among the top rushing leaders in league history, with a highest single-season total of 1,347 yards in 1983, the same year he won Super Bowl XVII MVP honors.
Riggins also recorded 3,888 receiving yards and 28 receiving touchdowns on 451 career receptions, showing versatility as both a runner and a reliable target in short-yardage and red-zone situations. His combined 166 total touchdowns rank him in the upper echelon of NFL offensive players across all eras.
John Riggins Contract Details and Earnings
Riggins signed a landmark six-year, $1.5 million contract with the New York Jets in 1971, a deal that made him one of the highest-paid running backs of his time, as documented by SpotracSpotrac. He later re-signed with the Washington Redskins in 1976 on a multi-year deal that reflected his growing status as a franchise cornerstone and Super Bowl-caliber performer.
His peak earnings came during the early 1980s, when his role as the primary offensive weapon for the Redskins drove both performance bonuses and salary increases. While exact annual salary figures are not fully public for every season, his career earnings are estimated to be in the millions, consistent with top-tier NFL compensation for that era.
John Riggins Legacy and Post-Career Financial Profile
Riggins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992, cementing his legacy as one of the most efficient and clutch running backs in NFL history, with a career-long 92-yard run and multiple game-winning performances in playoff and Super Bowl settingsPro Football Hall of Fame. His durability and late-career peak, particularly the 1983 season, are frequently cited in discussions of the greatest single-year performances by an NFL running back.
After retiring, Riggins focused on business ventures and personal investments, though he has not pursued high-profile ownership or executive roles in major sports organizations. His financial profile remains tied to his NFL earnings, Hall of Fame status, and ongoing appearances related to football legacy and charitable causes.