Tag: 4th and 1 John Riggins

Remembering Washington’s first Super Bowl win part 2

Some of the numbers from Washington’s Super Bowl triumph over Miami 40 years ago.

Jan. 30, 1983 (40-year anniversary), the Washington Redskins won their first Super Bowl championship, defeating the Miami Dolphins 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.

This week Commanders Wire will take several looks at that first Washington Super Bowl Championship victory.

Part one

Game Highlights

Remembering some of the numbers of Super Bowl XVII:

The Dolphins, having routed the Jets 28-0 in the AFC championship, were a 3-point favorite.

Washington entered the game 11-1, while Miami was 10-2.

Miami’s head coach Don Shula was coaching in his 5th Super Bowl, while Joe Gibbs was only in his first season of playoff competition.

When Washington pulled even 10-10 late in the half, the Redskins then gave up Fulton Walker’s 98-yard kickoff return putting Miami up 17-10.

Washington absolutely shut down the Miami offense, outscoring the Dolphins 17-0 in the second half for their 27-17 win.

Washington took its first lead (20-17) in the final quarter when John Riggins ran for 43-yard touchdown.

Many actually forget, but Washington drove again and scored when Joe Theismann rolled right and found Charlie Brown from six yards for the final 27-17 margin.

The Redskins defense held the Dolphins to a mere 9 first downs and 176 total yards from scrimmage.

Washington pounded the Dolphins on the ground all day, rushing 52 times for 276 yards, 166 by John Riggins, voted Super Bowl MVP.

John Riggins’ 38 rushing carries remains a Super Bowl game record.

John Riggins’ 166 rushing yards set a new Super Bowl game record. It has since been surpassed by Marcus Allen (191) in SB XVIII and Timmy Smith (204) SB XXII.

The Washington defense rattled Miami QB David Woodley that with the exception of his 76-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Cefalo, Woodley completed a mere 3 of 13 passes for 21 yards.

John Riggins’ run of 43 yards was actually not the longest Washington rush of the day. In the third quarter, Joe Theismann handed to John Riggins, running to his right, who then handed to Alvin Garrett, coming back to the left. Garrett gained 44 yards on the play.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Joe Theismann recalls Washington Super Bowl win 40 years ago Monday

Joe Theismann remembers Washington’s first Super Bowl win 40 years to the day.

40 years ago, Monday, Jan. 30, 1983, the Washington Redskins won their first Super Bowl Championship, defeating the Miami Dolphins 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

This week Commanders Wire will take several looks at that first Washington Super Bowl Championship victory.

Joe Theismann appeared this morning as a guest on the Al Galdi Podcast. Here are some of Theismann’s memories regarding SB XVII.

AG: “Do you ever get tired of talking about Super Bowl XVII? Or not really?

JT: “Oh, heavens, no!”

“That was such an incredible experience for us as a city, for us as a football team and for me personally. As kids growing up you dream about the opportunity to play in a Super Bowl.”

“To be a part of that football team and a part of that team in that era, it was an incredible run for us as a football team (Theismann played for Joe Gibbs 1981-85). To have the chance to be the quarterback for that football team was a fun ride.”

“I described ourselves as a bunch of characters with character. Tremendous different personalities, but when it came time to play, everybody absolutely did everything they could for one another.”

Galdi played the audio from NFL Films of Theismann talking with the team prior to kickoff.

“We’ve worked harder than anybody to get here. Nobody can beat us. And it’s worth 70,000 dollars and a big ring!”

Regarding the fourth quarter, 4th & 1 John Riggins 43-yard touchdown run:

“I remember it like it was yesterday. It was 4th and 1, it was 70 Chip.”

“Clint Didier started in motion, stopped and came back. As I handed the ball to John, I had the best seat in the house. I hand the ball to John, the hole opens up, I said, ‘we got the first down’ and Don McNeal hits him. It looked like butter just falling off of a hot knife. McNeal just sort of slid down his side, and then J.R. took off.”

“I saw Clint Didier running down the field, and I was running down the field yelling at Clint, ‘Don’t clip anybody! Don’t clip anybody!’ J.R. gets in the end zone and it is an unbelievable play.”

I have included the play with the call from the legendary Frank Herzog on the Redskins Radio broadcast.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]