KU Football: Best NFL Careers All-Time

Best Jayhawks in the NFL – Number 2: John Riggins

NFL running back 1971-1985

Anyone who watched the television series Friday Night Lights might think of Tim Riggins whenever they see a running back with the last name of Riggins, but John Riggins was one of the best ever. He makes this list at number two.

He was the first Jet to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season (which he did in 1975) and made it to the Pro Bowl that season.

John Riggins played for Kansas and was a sixth overall pick by the New York Jets in the 1971 NFL Draft. He spent five years with the Jets and nine years with the Redskins. Riggins won a Super Bowl with Washington in 1982.

He was the first Jet to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season (which he did in 1975) and made it to the Pro Bowl that season. Surprisingly, Riggins was only a one-time Pro Bowler during his long career.

Riggins ended his 14-year career with 11,352 rushing yards, 104 rushing touchdowns, 12 receiving touchdowns (to go along with 2,090 receiving yards), and averaged just under 65 yards per game.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992 and is the second best KU football player to ever make it to the pros.

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