Gerald Riggs Jr. facts for kids
| No. 21 | |
| Born: | September 28, 1983 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | RB |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 230 lb (100 kg) |
| College | Tennessee |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2006 | Miami Dolphins* |
| 2007 | Chicago Bears* |
| 2007 | Rhein Fire |
| 2011–2013 | Toronto Argonauts |
| *Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career stats | |
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Gerald Antonio Riggs Jr. (born September 28, 1983) is an American former professional football player. He was a running back, which is a player who carries the ball. Gerald Jr. played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. His dad, Gerald Sr., was also a famous Pro Bowl running back.
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Early Life and High School Success
Gerald Riggs Jr. grew up in Red Bank, Tennessee. He went to Red Bank High School. There, he was a star player on the football team.
Winning a State Championship
In 2000, Gerald helped his team have an amazing season. They won every single game, going 15–0. This led them to win the school's first state championship in football. That same year, Gerald also won the Tennessee Mr. Football award. This award goes to the best high school football player in the state. He also played in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. This game features the best high school players in the country.
College Football Career
Gerald Riggs Jr. played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. He was a key player from 2002 to 2005.
Making History at Tennessee
In 2004, Gerald and another player, Cedric Houston, both ran for over 1,000 yards. This was a first in the history of Tennessee football. It means two players on the same team gained more than 1,000 yards by running with the ball. In 2005, Gerald was expected to have a huge season. He was even considered for the Heisman Trophy. However, a leg injury stopped his senior year early. Despite injuries, Gerald finished his college career with over 2,000 total yards. He also scored 18 touchdowns.
Professional Football Journey
After college, Gerald Riggs Jr. tried to play professional football.
Starting in the NFL
Gerald entered the 2006 NFL draft, but he was not chosen by a team. This was partly because of his injury. Later, he signed with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent. A free agent is a player who can sign with any team. He was briefly on their practice squad. A practice squad is a group of players who train with the team but don't usually play in games.
Moving to Other Teams
In 2007, Gerald signed with the Chicago Bears. He then played for the Rhein Fire in NFL Europa. This was a football league in Europe. He also had a tryout with the Detroit Lions in 2009.
Playing in Canada
On May 31, 2011, Gerald signed with the Toronto Argonauts. This team plays in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played for them until June 2013. During the 2012 CFL season, he ran for 220 yards and scored one touchdown.
Family Connections
Gerald Riggs Jr. comes from a family of football players.
A Football Family
His father, Gerald Riggs, was a very successful Pro Bowl running back. He played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Redskins. Gerald's brother, Cody Riggs, also played football. Cody was a cornerback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in college. He later signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2015.
