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.
Pat Fischer (1968-77) came to Washington after seven seasons as a St. Louis Cardinal who had twice been a Pro Bowler and a 1964 All-Pro. It was thought Washington would only have him a few seasons, but Fischer amazingly played cornerback for ten more seasons, his last season, his age 37 season. An iron man of physical fitness, Fischer played and started every game for eight of his ten Washington seasons. In his ten Washington seasons, Fischer was a Pro Bowler (1969) and intercepted 27 passes, returning one for a touchdown and recovered eight fumbles. When he retired, Fischer had played more NFL games at cornerback than anyone else. Fischer was named one of the 70 Greatest Redskins in 2002 and is also on the Washington Ring of Fame.