Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 37 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 37?
Gerald Riggs (1989-91) came to Washington in 1989 after having been a Pro Bowler three consecutive seasons and after 1,587 carries and 6,631 rushing yards for Atlanta. Washington has had four backs to carry for 200 yards in a game. Alfred Morris (200 in 2012), George Rogers (206 in 1985), Cliff Battles (215 in 1933), and Riggs set the record in 1989 at RFK against the Eagles, rushing for 221 yards and averaging 7.6 per carry. However, reaching 1800 carries, Riggs began to have arch problems. Thus, Joe Gibbs turned to Earnest Byner, and Riggs, being kept fresh, was a very effective short-yardage back his final two NFL seasons (1990 and 1991). Riggs contributed greatly, keeping the chains moving and scoring touchdowns on the dominant Super Bowl champion 1991 team, when he rushed for 11 touchdowns. In the 1991 playoffs, Riggs scored two rushing touchdowns in each of the three games for a total of six touchdowns in that postseason.
