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Gerald Riggs Jr.

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Gerald Riggs Jr.
No. 21
Born: (1983-09-28) September 28, 1983 (age 41)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Career information
CFL statusAmerican
Position(s)RB
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight230 lb (100 kg)
CollegeTennessee
Career history
As player
2006Miami Dolphins*
2007Chicago Bears*
2007Rhein Fire
2011–2013Toronto Argonauts
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career stats

Gerald Antonio Riggs Jr. (born September 28, 1983) is an American former football running back. He played college football at Tennessee. He is the son of former Pro Bowl running back Gerald and ex-wife Dana Riggs.

Early life

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Riggs attended Red Bank High School in Red Bank, Tennessee.[1] He helped lead the team to an undefeated season, 15–0, and the school's first state championship in football during the 2000 season.[2] Riggs also won the Tennessee Mr. Football trophy that season.[3] He played in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.[4]

College career

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Riggs contributed to the Volunteers' back field from 2002 to 2005.[5] Riggs, along with Cedric Houston, was one of two different 1,000 plus yard rushers for Tennessee in the 2004 season.[6] This was the first time in Tennessee football history to have multiple 1,000 yard rushers in a season.[7] Riggs was a preseason All-American and Heisman Trophy candidate in 2005, but a lower leg injury ended his senior season.[8][9][10][11] Riggs finished with over 2,000 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdown despite injuries early in career that kept him off the field.[12]

Professional career

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Miami Dolphins

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Riggs entered the 2006 NFL draft, but was not selected, partly due to concerns about his injury status.[13] After the draft, Riggs signed a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins.[14][15][16] He was released by the team on September 2, re-signed to the practice squad on September 3 and then released again on September 5.[17] He spent the season out of football.

Chicago Bears

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Riggs was signed by the Chicago Bears on February 9, 2007. He was assigned to the Rhein Fire of NFL Europa during the offseason. The Bears released him on May 23.[18]

Detroit Lions

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Riggs worked out at a Detroit Lions minicamp in May 2009 but was not signed.[19][20]

Toronto Argonauts

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On May 31, 2011, Riggs signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.[21] Riggs received 35 rushing attempts during the 2012 CFL season, amassing 220 yards and one touchdown.[22] On June 22, 2013, Riggs was released by the Argos.[23]

Personal life

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His father, Gerald Riggs, was a three-time Pro Bowl running back for the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins.[24] His brother, Cody Riggs, played cornerback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in college and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2015.[25]

References

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  1. ^ MacCoon, Patrick (May 4, 2020). "Former Red Bank, Vols star Gerald Riggs Jr. now helping others to be their best with Beast University". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  2. ^ Benson, Pat (January 27, 2019). "Pat Benson: Sitting Down With Local Legend Gerald Riggs Jr". Chattanoogan.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  3. ^ "American General Mr. Football Back of the Year Awards". TSSAAsports.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  4. ^ Crawley, Stan (December 11, 2001). "Crawley: Riggs To Play In All-American Bowl". Chattanoogan.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  5. ^ "Gerald Riggs Jr. College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  6. ^ "2004 Tennessee Volunteers Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  7. ^ "Vols' All-Decades Positions: Running Backs". Rocky Top Insider. July 6, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  8. ^ Rohde, John (August 1, 2005). "Heisman watch". The Oklahoman. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  9. ^ "2005 college preview: Dark horses for Heisman". Deseret News. August 28, 2005. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  10. ^ "Friday Night Football on Channel 3: Bigger Team. Bigger Coverage". Local3News.com. August 19, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  11. ^ "RIGGS RULED OUT FOR SEASON, VOLS' SECOND BLOW IN AS MANY GAMES". University of Tennessee Athletics. October 24, 2005. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  12. ^ "Gerald Riggs Jr. College Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  13. ^ "Former Vol and Red Bank star gets second chance at pro football". Local3News.com. July 1, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  14. ^ "2006 undrafted rookie free agents". ESPN.com. May 3, 2006. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  15. ^ "WILL SON ALSO RISE IN NFL?". Sun Sentinel. May 7, 2006. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  16. ^ "Vick practices on 'date' in Dolphins' mini-camp". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 5, 2006. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  17. ^ "BEASLEY AMONG 21 CUT". Sun Sentinel. September 3, 2006. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  18. ^ "Vols In CFL Wrap Up (11/26)". University of Tennessee Athletics. June 14, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  19. ^ "Lions Sign Five Undrafted Rookie Free Agents". DetroitLions.com. May 1, 2009. Archived from the original on May 5, 2009.
  20. ^ Norman, Alex. "Gerald Riggs Jr.'s mindset". The Knoxville Focus. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  21. ^ "ARGOS ADD SIX, RELEASE THREE". Toronto Argonauts. June 1, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  22. ^ "2012 Toronto Argonauts statistics". StatsCrew.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  23. ^ "Released by Argos". CFL.ca. June 22, 2013. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  24. ^ Lay, Ken (May 3, 2023). "Former Volunteer footballer working with kids in Clinton". The Courier News. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  25. ^ Ironside, Nick (May 2, 2015). "Cody Riggs Signs Free Agent Deal With Tennessee Titans". 247Sports. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
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