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 highlights and awards | |
|
|
| Career stats | |
|
|
Gerald Antonio Riggs Jr. was born on September 28, 1983. He is an American former professional football player. He played as a running back during his career. Gerald Jr. played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. His father, Gerald Riggs, was also a famous Pro Bowl running back.
Contents
Early Life and High School Success
Gerald Riggs Jr. grew up in Red Bank, Tennessee. He went to Red Bank High School. In 2000, he helped his high school football team have an amazing season. They won all 15 of their games. This led them to win the school's first state championship in football. That same year, Riggs Jr. also won the Tennessee Mr. Football award. He was chosen to play in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, which features top high school players.
College Football Career
Riggs Jr. played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2002 to 2005. He was an important part of their running game. In the 2004 season, he and another player, Cedric Houston, both ran for over 1,000 yards. This was the first time in Tennessee football history that two players reached this milestone in the same season.
In 2005, Riggs Jr. was expected to have a great senior year. He was even considered a possible candidate for the Heisman Trophy, a top award in college football. However, a leg injury ended his season early. Despite injuries throughout his college career, he finished with over 2,000 total yards and 18 touchdowns.
Professional Football Journey
After college, Gerald Riggs Jr. tried to play professional football.
Joining the Miami Dolphins
Riggs Jr. entered the 2006 NFL draft, but he was not chosen by any team. This was partly because of concerns about his past injuries. After the draft, he signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent. He was released by the team in early September 2006. He then briefly joined their practice squad before being released again a few days later. He did not play in any games that season.
Time with the Chicago Bears
In February 2007, the Chicago Bears signed Riggs Jr. They sent him to play for the Rhein Fire in NFL Europa during the offseason. NFL Europa was a league where players could gain more experience. The Bears released him in May 2007.
Playing in Canada
On May 31, 2011, Riggs Jr. signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played for the Argonauts for a few seasons. In the 2012 CFL season, he had 35 rushing attempts and gained 220 yards, scoring one touchdown. He was part of the team that won the Grey Cup in 2012, which is the championship game of the CFL. The Argonauts released him on June 22, 2013.
Family Connections
Gerald Riggs Jr. comes from a family of talented football players. His father, Gerald Riggs, was a very successful running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins and was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times. Gerald Jr.'s brother, Cody Riggs, also played college football as a cornerback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Cody later signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2015.
