John Riggins in His New York Jets Uniform: The Early Years of a Football Legend
Before John Riggins became a household name with the Washington Redskins and a Super Bowl MVP, he began his professional football career wearing the green and white uniform of the New York Jets. Drafted sixth overall in the 1971 NFL Draft, Riggins was the first running back selected that year, a testament to his dominance at the collegiate level. At the University of Kansas, he had shattered the school’s rushing record previously held by the great Gale Sayers, setting the stage for a high-expectation professional debut.
Riggins joined a Jets team still basking in the historic glow of their Super Bowl III victory led by Joe Namath just a few years earlier. The organization was looking to reload and reinvigorate its offense, and Riggins was seen as a powerful addition. From the start, he brought a hard-nosed running style that would define his entire career. Even early on, fans and teammates noticed his relentless energy, earning him nicknames like “Riggo” and “The Diesel” for the way he plowed through defenses.
In his five seasons with the Jets (1971–1975), Riggins showcased the grit and durability that would later make him a legend. While the team was inconsistent during his tenure, Riggins began building his personal legacy. He became the first player in Jets history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, achieving that milestone in 1975 with 1,005 rushing yards. That year, he also scored 8 rushing touchdowns, cementing his role as the team’s offensive workhorse.
His time with the Jets was marked not just by his performance, but by his distinctive style. Standing 6’2″ and weighing around 230 pounds, Riggins had a powerful frame that made him difficult to tackle. Yet he also had surprising speed and agility for a man of his size. Fans at Shea Stadium, where the Jets played at the time, appreciated his no-nonsense approach to football. He wasn’t flashy—he just ran hard and fought for every yard.
While the Jets never made a deep playoff run during Riggins’ years there, the foundation was laid for what would become an iconic NFL career. In 1976, Riggins signed with the Washington Redskins, where he eventually reached the pinnacle of success. His most famous moment came in Super Bowl XVII in January 1983, when he was named MVP after rushing for 166 yards and the game-winning 43-yard touchdown on 4th-and-1—a moment that defined his legacy.
Looking back, Riggins’ time with the New York Jets is often overshadowed by his Redskins glory. But it was in New York that he first proved himself as a tough, reliable, and fearless running back. Those formative years in the Jets uniform shaped “The Diesel” into the powerhouse he would become—a player who embodied old-school football and left an indelible mark on the NFL.
