Gerald Riggs is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He was born on November 6, 1960, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and attended Bonanza High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Riggs was a standout athlete in high school, excelling in football, basketball, and track and field.
After graduating from high school, Riggs attended Arizona State University, where he played college football for the Sun Devils. He was a three-year starter at running back and was named the team's Most Valuable Player in 1981. Riggs finished his college career with 2,486 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns.
Riggs was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact in his rookie season, rushing for 1,486 yards and 9 touchdowns. Riggs was named to the Pro Bowl and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Over the next several seasons, Riggs continued to be one of the top running backs in the NFL. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first five seasons with the Falcons and was named to the Pro Bowl in four of those seasons. Riggs was known for his powerful running style and his ability to break tackles.
In 1987, Riggs was traded to the Washington Redskins. He continued to be a productive player for the Redskins, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons with the team. Riggs was a key player on the Redskins' Super Bowl XXII championship team in 1988, rushing for 221 yards and a touchdown in the team's victory over the Denver Broncos.
Riggs played his final season in the NFL in 1991, finishing his career with 8,188 rushing yards and 69 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl twice and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 1985.
After retiring from football, Riggs worked as a sports broadcaster and also coached high school football. He was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
Overall, Gerald Riggs had a successful career in the NFL, establishing himself as one of the top running backs of his era. He was a powerful runner who was able to consistently gain yards on the ground, and he was a key player on several successful teams throughout his career.
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