Former Washington Redskins running back John Riggins credits beer for longevity in NFL
John Riggins, or “Riggo,” or “The Diesel,” whatever you want to call him is a legendary member of the Washington Redskins lore of the 1980’s. He’s also been notorious for his hard living ways, but it could be those ways that kept him in the NFL for so long.
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In a recent YouTube segment of his “Riggo on the Range” show, he let his secret for longevity in the NFL slip—lots of beer. Riggo credits beer for helping him stay “lubricated” and loose so that his body didn’t take the pounding that other running backs did.
Riggins, who was the No. 6 overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, and a long and distinguished career in the NFL. He was twice named the Jets MVP before leaving for the Redskins in 1976.
He finished his career with 11,352 yards and 104 touchdowns while averaging 3.9 yards per carry over his 15-year career. Riggins holds at least 17 records as the oldest player to accomplish a rushing record in the NFL, including most attempts and touchdowns after his 30th birthday.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame called his name in 1992 and he was inducted in to the Redskins ring of fame along with quarterback Joe Theismann in 1990.