The legendary running back who refused to be traded

History · Published 5 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1980, John Riggins walked away from the Washington Redskins after a contract dispute. He sat out an entire season, only to return a year later with a bold demand: a no-trade clause. This is the story of 'Diesel,' a powerhouse who redefined NFL longevity.

Born in Kansas in 1949, Robert John Riggins—known as 'Riggo' or 'Diesel'—built a career defined by a relentless 'bell cow' running style. After a standout collegiate career with the Kansas Jayhawks, where he broke Gale Sayers's rushing record, Riggins entered the NFL in 1971 as the New York Jets' first-round pick. He quickly became a force, leading the Jets in both rushing and receiving as a rookie and helping set a franchise rushing record in 1972.

His move to the Washington Redskins in 1976 marked a period of both immense triumph and high-stakes drama. Following a contract dispute in July 1980, Riggins left training camp and was placed on the 'left camp-retired' list, making him ineligible for any other NFL team [S1:pi1]. The standoff ended in 1981 when Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs traveled to Kansas to personally recruit him back.

Riggins returned with a single condition: a no-trade clause. Riggins’s postseason performances remain legendary. During the 1982 playoffs, he rushed for 610 yards, setting a single-season postseason record. He earned Super Bowl XVII MVP honors after rushing for 166 yards, including a pivotal 43-yard touchdown on a play called '70 chip'. Even as he aged, Riggins defied the typical decline of professional athletes. Reaching the 1,000-yard milestone at age 35, he set a benchmark for oldest rushers that remains unbroken. He retired in 1985, leaving a legacy as one of the few players to ever surpass 100 career rushing touchdowns.

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