The jersey worn by Washington running back John Riggins in Super Bowl XVII has sold at auction for $470,000 this week.
Pre-sale estimates pegged the item to sell for somewhere between $100-$200K. However, the photo matched jersey from a famous Super Bowl victory in which Riggins was named MVP sparked a bidding war that quickly blew past initial projections.
Washington would ultimately defeat Miami 27-17, with Riggins totalling a then record 166 rushing yards in the victory. That number would eventually be eclipsed by Marcus Allen (191 in 1984) and eventually Timmy Smith (204 yards in 1988), though Riggins remains in third place to this day.
Many a Washington fan remember “4th and 1” to this day, as it would go on to become etched in DC football lore for generations to come. Trailing Miami 17-13 in the 4th quarter, Riggins broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage and scampered 43 yards downfield for a go ahead touchdown which would help guide Washington to their first ever Super Bowl title.
“For me, without the fans, there was no football,” Riggins said in a statement. “You gave me something far greater than anything memorabilia can represent. Knowing my teammates and I helped create moments you’ll always remember is the only legacy I need. Now, it feels right to pass these keepsakes along to the people who made them matter in the first place.”
A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit charities involved in the NFL Auction Program.
Photo: Ted Van Pelt. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.