Washington Hall-of-Famer John Riggins Demands His Commanders Jersey Gets Removed From Fanatics

Fanatics has pulled Washington Commanders jerseys with 'Riggins' on the back after the former Washington fullback, John, expressed that he never played for the Commanders.

The jersey retailer started selling “Riggins 44” Commanders jerseys after the club made the formal announcement of the name change from Washington Football Team earlier this month. But Riggins voiced his displeasure with being associated with the new name on his podcast, “The John Riggins Show.”

“I feel completely disenfranchised,” said Riggins, the Pro Football Hall of Famer who lead the NFL in touchdowns in 1983 and 1984 and was MVP of Super Bowl XVII in 1983. “I can’t understand how anyone who once played under the old franchise name could possibly want to be a part of anything to do with the Washington Commanders.”

Riggins’ representive Harlan Werner told The Action Network that the contract to be able to use Riggins on jerseys was already in dispute and that the use of his name on Commanders jerseys made it more of a hot button issue.

“That makes me feel filthy,” said Riggins on his podcast about having his name of Commanders jerseys. “I feel dirty, I don’t want anything to do with it. Maybe I will change. Maybe I need a little more time, I don’t know. It just doesn’t feel right to me.”

Riggins, 72, played for the Washington franchise from 1976-1985. He was selected 6th overall in the 1971 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He was named Super Bowl XVII MVP and twice led the NFL in rushing touchdowns.