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Gerald Riggs
Gerald Riggs
Gerald Riggs
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Gerald Antonio Riggs (born November 6, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Atlanta Falcons from 1982 to 1988 and the Washington Redskins from 1989 to 1991.

Key Information

Before his NFL career, he attended Bonanza High School in Las Vegas, Nevada[1] and after graduation attended Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. He played sparingly in 1978, running for 410 yards and four touchdowns along with 10 catches for 126 yards. In 1979, he ran for 363 yards with three touchdowns and 14 catches for 120 yards and one touchdown. In 1980, he continued in a backup role and ran for 422 yards with four touchdowns with 15 catches for 165 yards. As a starter in 1981, he ran for 891 yards with six touchdowns and an average of six yards per carry, while also recording 11 catches for 139 yards in 11 games.

He would close out his collegiate career with 2,086 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground and 50 catches for 550 yards. In the 1982 NFL draft, he was selected with the 9th overall pick by Atlanta.

Riggs made the Pro Bowl three times in his career from 1985 to 1987. His best season was in 1985, when he rushed for 1,719 yards and ten touchdowns, while also catching 33 passes for 267 yards, all without a fumble. He was the only running back in the 1980s to record a 1,000 yard rushing season without a fumble. In the three seasons from 1984 to 1986, Riggs amassed a whopping 5,212 combined rushing and receiving yards, and scored 32 touchdowns. In his seven years with the Falcons, he rushed for 6,631 yards, making him the franchise all-time leading rusher. Prior to the 1989 season, Riggs was traded to the Washington Redskins.

In his final year of 1991, Riggs rushed for 248 yards and 11 touchdowns, assisting his team to a 14–2 record.[2] He is the only player to rush for 11 touchdowns in fewer than 80 attempts in a single season. He went on to rush for four touchdowns in Washington's two playoff games, and two touchdowns in Washington's 37–24 win over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI; it was the last game he played in. His six touchdowns in the postseason tied an NFL record.

Riggs finished his 10 NFL seasons with 8,188 rushing yards and 69 touchdowns, along with 201 receptions for 1,516 yards. Riggs holds the NFL all-time record for most receptions (201) without a receiving touchdown.[3]

He is the father of Gerald Riggs, Jr., former running back at the University of Tennessee, who played for the Miami Dolphins, and Cody Riggs, a cornerback for the Tennessee Titans.

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Y/G Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum FR
1982 ATL 9 0 78 299 3.8 33.2 37 5 23 185 8.0 15 0 1 0
1983 ATL 14 0 100 437 4.4 31.2 40 8 17 149 8.8 25 0 7 1
1984 ATL 15 14 353 1,486 4.3 99.1 57 13 42 277 6.6 21 0 11 2
1985 ATL 16 16 397 1,719 4.3 107.4 50 10 33 267 8.1 44 0 6 1
1986 ATL 16 15 343 1,327 3.9 82.9 31 9 24 136 5.7 11 0 6 1
1987 ATL 12 12 203 875 4.3 72.9 44 2 25 199 8.0 48 0 4 1
1988 ATL 9 9 113 488 4.3 54.2 34 1 22 171 7.8 30 0 3 0
1989 WAS 12 7 201 834 4.1 69.5 58 4 7 67 9.6 13 0 3 0
1990 WAS 10 0 123 475 3.9 47.5 20 6 7 60 8.6 18 0 2 1
1991 WAS 16 0 78 248 3.2 15.5 32 11 1 5 5.0 5 0 1 0
Career 129 73 1,989 8,188 4.1 63.5 58 69 201 1,516 7.5 48 0 38 6

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Gerald Riggs

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Gerald Riggs (born November 6, 1960) is a former American football running back who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. Drafted ninth overall in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons out of Arizona State University, Riggs quickly established himself as one of the league's premier rushers, earning three Pro Bowl selections from 1985 to 1987 and First-Team All-Pro honors in 1985. Over his seven seasons with from 1982 to 1988, Riggs amassed 6,631 rushing yards and 48 rushing touchdowns, franchise records at the time that included the all-time rushing yards mark, which he still holds as of 2025, while his touchdown total was later surpassed; his 1985 campaign, in which he rushed for 1,719 yards and 10 touchdowns, remains one of the most dominant single-season performances by a Falcons . Traded to the Washington in 1989, he contributed to their victory following the 1991 season, adding 1,557 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in his final three years while helping solidify the team's backfield during a championship run. Across his entire career, Riggs totaled 8,188 rushing yards, 69 rushing touchdowns, and appeared in 129 games, cementing his legacy as a powerful, workhorse runner in the era. In recognition of his impact on the Falcons organization, Riggs was inducted into the team's in 2013.

Early years

Childhood and high school

Gerald Antonio Riggs was born on November 6, 1960, in the small town of Tullos, . His family later relocated to , , where he spent his formative years. Growing up without a , Riggs was raised by a supportive mother and stepfather who helped guide him through early challenges, including struggles with discipline. Riggs attended in , graduating in the class of 1978. There, he emerged as a standout football player, recognized for his bruising and durable running style that emphasized physicality and power in high school games. Despite disciplinary issues that restricted his participation to only three games during his junior year, Riggs matured and thrived in his senior season of 1977, showcasing the tenacity that would define his athletic career. His high school performance as a star at Bonanza earned him a football scholarship to , marking his transition to collegiate football.

Collegiate career

After graduating from Bonanza High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, Gerald Riggs enrolled at in , where he played for the Sun Devils football team from 1978 to 1981. Over his three seasons at Arizona State, Riggs amassed 2,086 rushing yards on 392 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt, and scored 17 rushing . His receiving contributions added 550 yards on 50 catches with one , showcasing his versatility as a backfield asset. Riggs' standout performance came in the 1981 season, during which he earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors as a —the first such recognition for an Arizona State player in that position—and led the Sun Devils with 891 rushing yards on 148 carries, averaging 6.0 yards per attempt, while scoring six rushing touchdowns. These efforts highlighted his power-running style and elusiveness, key elements in Arizona State's ground-oriented offensive strategy under head coach . Riggs played a pivotal role in the Sun Devils' 9-2 record that year, including a perfect 7-0 mark, helping the team secure a No. 16 ranking in the final and establishing him as a prime prospect entering the 1982 draft. His contributions bolstered the team's rushing attack, which averaged over 200 yards per game, and prepared him for professional-level demands through consistent workload and big-play production.

Professional career

Atlanta Falcons

Gerald Riggs was selected by the with the ninth overall pick in the first round of the out of . His rookie season occurred during the strike-shortened 1982 campaign, limited to nine games, in which he rushed for 299 yards on 78 carries and scored five touchdowns. The following year, in , Riggs appeared in 14 games but was hampered by limited opportunities, accumulating 437 rushing yards on 100 attempts and eight touchdowns. Riggs emerged as a star from 1984 to 1986, achieving three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons while serving as the Falcons' primary ball carrier. In 1984, he rushed for 1,486 yards and 13 touchdowns on 353 carries. His standout performance came in 1985, when he led the NFL with 397 rushing attempts, gained 1,719 yards, and scored 10 touchdowns without committing a single fumble, earning Pro Bowl honors and second-team All-Pro recognition. In 1986, despite the team's 7-9 record, Riggs posted 1,327 yards and nine touchdowns on 343 carries, securing another Pro Bowl selection. Injuries began to affect Riggs in 1987, limiting him to 12 games and resulting in 875 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 203 carries, though he still made the Pro Bowl. The following season, knee surgery sidelined him for seven games, restricting him to nine appearances with 488 yards on 113 carries and one touchdown. Over seven seasons with the Falcons, Riggs amassed 6,631 rushing yards, establishing himself as the franchise's all-time leading rusher—a record that stood as of 2025. Following the 1988 season, dissatisfied with his diminished role after the injury, Riggs requested a trade, leading to his exchange to the Washington Redskins in April 1989 for their 1989 second-round pick and 1990 first-round pick.

Washington Redskins

Prior to the , the Washington Redskins acquired Riggs from the in exchange for their 1989 second-round pick and 1990 first-round pick, as Riggs had requested a trade due to his diminished role in Atlanta's evolving offensive scheme following injuries that limited him to nine games in 1988. This move paired Riggs with fellow running back to bolster the Redskins' backfield under coach . In his first season with Washington in 1989, Riggs emerged as the team's leading rusher, starting seven games and accumulating 834 yards on 201 carries with four touchdowns, despite sharing carries in a committee approach. His performance included a standout 221-yard outing against the , setting a franchise single-game rushing record that stood for years. The following year, 1990, Riggs appeared in 10 games with limited starts amid a contract holdout early in , rushing for 475 yards on 123 carries and six touchdowns while serving in a complementary role to Byner. Riggs' role evolved further in 1991, where he became ' primary goal-line back, handling short-yardage situations effectively with 11 rushing touchdowns on just 78 carries for 248 yards over 16 games. This efficiency contributed to Washington's dominant 14-2 regular-season record and deep playoff run. In the postseason, Riggs scored six rushing touchdowns across three games, including two in —a 1-yard plunge in the second quarter and a 2-yard run early in the third—helping secure a 37-24 victory over the on January 26, 1992, at the in . Following the triumph, Riggs did not play in the 1992 season after being waived by during preseason training camp on August 20, effectively retiring at age 31 after a 10-year career marked by his transition from featured back to situational specialist in Washington.

Career statistics and records

Regular season

Gerald Riggs amassed 8,188 rushing yards on 1,989 attempts with 69 rushing touchdowns, along with 201 receptions for 1,516 yards and no receiving touchdowns, over his 10-season career. The following table details his regular-season statistics year by year, including games played, rushing and receiving totals, and fumbles, while with the Atlanta Falcons (1982–1988) and Washington Redskins (1989–1991).
YearTeamGGSAttYdsTDRecYdsTDFum
1982ATL907829952318501
1983ATL14010043781714907
1984ATL151435314861342277011
1985ATL16163971719103326700
1986ATL1615343132792413606
1987ATL121220387522519904
1988ATL9911348812217103
1989WAS127201834476703
1990WAS100123475676002
1991WAS16078248111501
Career1297319898188692011516038
Riggs' single-season highs included 1,719 rushing yards in 1985 and 13 rushing in 1984. He holds the NFL record for the most career receptions by a without a receiving (201).

Postseason

Gerald Riggs participated in six NFL postseason games across his career with the and Washington Redskins, accumulating 44 rushing attempts for 120 yards and 6 rushing . Despite modest yardage totals, his production was exceptional, particularly in the 1991 postseason where he scored all six , tying the NFL record for most rushing in a single postseason at the time. Riggs' first playoff appearance came as a with in the 1982 season's NFC Wild Card round on January 9, 1983, against the Minnesota Vikings, where he rushed 9 times for 38 yards but did not score. lost 30-24, ending their postseason run. After joining , Riggs appeared in two playoff games during the 1990 season, rushing 24 times for 63 yards with no touchdowns: 14 attempts for 45 yards in a 20-6 divisional win over the on January 5, 1991, and 10 attempts for 18 yards in a 28-10 NFC Championship loss to the on January 12, 1991. His most impactful postseason came in 1991, as advanced to . In the divisional round on January 4, 1992, against , Riggs rushed 4 times for 7 yards and scored 2 touchdowns in a 24-7 victory. He followed with 2 attempts for 5 yards and 2 more touchdowns in the NFC Championship win over the on January 12, 1992 (41-10). In on January 26, 1992, against the , Riggs had 5 carries for 7 yards and 2 touchdowns—including a 1-yard score in the second quarter and a 2-yard run in the third—contributing to ' 37-24 championship victory.
DateTeamOpponentResultAttYdsTD
1983-01-09ATL@ MINL 24-309380
1991-01-05WAS@ W 20-614450
1991-01-12WAS@ SFOL 10-2810180
1992-01-04WASvs ATLW 24-7472
1992-01-12WASvs DETW 41-10252
1992-01-26WASvs BUFW 37-24572
Postseason Totals: 6 games, 44 att, 120 yds, 6 TD

Legacy

Honors and awards

During his tenure with the , Gerald Riggs earned three consecutive selections as a from 1985 to 1987. Riggs also received second-team honors from the in 1985. In 1991, Riggs contributed to the Washington Redskins' victory in , securing a as part of the team. Post-retirement, Riggs was inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in 2004, recognizing his high school and professional achievements from the Las Vegas area. He joined the in 2013, honoring his franchise-leading rushing records and impact during his seven seasons with the team. In 2018, Riggs was enshrined in the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to professional football in the region.

Impact and recognition

Gerald Riggs earned a reputation as a powerful, bruising runner during his NFL career, known for lowering his shoulder into tacklers and delivering as much punishment as he received, which set a physical tone for the ' ground game. His hard-nosed style combined breakaway speed with relentless contact, making him a focal point of the Falcons' offensive identity in the mid-1980s and influencing how the team approached running plays. Riggs had a profound impact on the Falcons franchise, becoming its all-time leading rusher with 6,631 yards over seven seasons from 1982 to 1988, a record that remains unbroken as of 2025. His production revitalized the team's offense during a challenging period, as he rushed for over 1,300 yards in each of three consecutive seasons from 1984 to 1986, carrying the load with a league-high 397 attempts in 1985 alone and helping transform Atlanta's rushing attack into a reliable strength. With the Washington Redskins from 1989 to 1991, Riggs played a key role in the team's balanced offensive attack during its -winning campaign, serving as a reliable short-yardage and goal-line specialist who scored 11 touchdowns in 1991 despite limited carries. His physical presence complemented ' dynamic backfield, contributing to their 14-2 regular-season record by providing crucial yards in high-impact situations. Riggs' broader recognition includes rankings among the ' greatest players, such as No. 8 on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Top 50 list in 2015, reflecting his as a durable workhorse who withstood the rigors of heavy usage despite nagging injuries in his later years. His toughness allowed him to amass 8,188 career rushing yards across 10 seasons, cementing his place as a symbol of resilience in history.

Personal life

Riggs resides in , with his wife, Sherry, to whom he has been married since approximately 2005. He is the father of three children: sons Gerald Riggs Jr. and Cody Riggs, both of whom played and professional football, and daughter . Following his NFL career, Riggs has been active in ministry and community advocacy. He founded the Gerald Riggs Network, which supports ministry and mission projects, and serves as a public speaker, mentor, coach, and host as of 2024.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiggGe00.htm
  2. https://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/history/ring-of-honor/gerald-riggs
  3. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/super-bowl.htm
  4. https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2019/2/7/18208980/throwback-thursday-remembering-former-falcons-rb-gerald-riggs
  5. https://www.ajc.com/sports/rugged-running-back-riggs-left-mark-with-falcons-tacklers/UAmNf7ptjeAmeZlrLUc6qI/
  6. https://www.snshf.com/hall-of-famers/gerald-riggs
  7. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/gerald-riggs-1.html
  8. https://thesundevils.com/news/2018/01/10/gerald-riggs-to-be-inducted-into-the-atlanta-sports-hall-of-fame
  9. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arizona-state/1981.html
  10. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/04/13/redskins-may-seek-riggs/cd5e2edf-27f7-4320-bea8-f03616c1b867/
  11. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/04/24/redskins-trade-for-riggs-byner/25d5d7a3-5b2a-4e9b-a605-6ca9e3313d56/
  12. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/09/19/Redskins-confused-about-Riggs/3462622180800/
  13. https://www.pilotonline.com/1989/04/24/ghost-of-riggins-revived-with-acquisition-of-riggs/
  14. https://www.commanders.com/news/flashback-riggs-day-set-standard-3447397
  15. https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1990/rt9007/900730/07300071.htm
  16. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-01-27-sp-544-story.html
  17. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/08/20/Redskins-waive-Riggs/3103714283200/
  18. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-career-receptions-without-a-receiving-touchdown
  19. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiggGe00/gamelog/post/
  20. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_td_single_season_playoffs.htm
  21. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198301090min.htm
  22. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199201260buf.htm
  23. https://www.snshf.com/hall-of-famers/2004/
  24. https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/riggs-inducted-into-the-falcons-ring-honor/wyElkHXgpiJF2lyd1SBzFO/
  25. https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/former-falcons-great-gerald-riggs-to-be-inducted-into-atlanta-sports-ha-20351986
  26. http://www.nytimes.com/1985/11/21/sports/players-riggs-is-rushing-for-recognition.html
  27. https://www.retroseasons.com/players/gerald-riggs/history/bio/
  28. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/career-rushing.htm
  29. https://www.ajc.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/top-falcons-gerald-riggs/V8gK1ZCWO8ozVnzsoMJpCJ/
  30. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/08/21/as-expected-redskins-waive-little-used-riggs/e942de66-f29a-49b0-bcad-8b3220d8c507/
  31. http://www.geraldriggsnetwork.com/ministry.html
  32. http://www.geraldriggsnetwork.com/
  33. https://x.com/GeraldRiggsNet
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