Fourth-and-1. A little more than 10 minutes remaining. The Super Bowl hanging in the balance.
Trailing Miami 17-13 late in Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl, Washington faced that pressure-packed situation in 1983 as the franchise sought its first Super Bowl title.
Luckily, the "Diesel" was there to carry the day.
John Riggins broke a tackle at the line and not only got the first down, he rambled for a 43-yard touchdown that put the then-Redskins ahead to stay in a game they would win 27-17.
The jersey Riggins wore that day in an 166-yard performance that won him the game's MVP award sold at the Super Bowl LX Live Auction Event for $470,000, besting its high-end estimate by $270,000. The event marked the 18th year in a partnership between the NFL and Hunt Auctions.
Riggins, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992, played five seasons for the New York Jets before playing his most impactful football in Washington. Additionally, his Super Bowl ring sold for $105,750
"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 go directly toward charities of the NFL Auction Program.
Want more stories like this? Subscribe to the cllct newsletter and follow cllct on X and Instagram.
Matt Liberman is a reporter and video producer for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.

