John Riggins Calls Daniel Snyder 'A Bad Guy'

SportingNews Nov 5, 1:16 pm EST

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Former Redskin John Riggins has been an outspoken critic of Washington this season, and you can hear more about how much he despises owner Daniel Snyder whe Showtime's "Inside The NFL" airs tonight at 9 p.m.

D.C. Sports Blog gives us excerpts from the interview:

James Brown: "John, you have been pretty doggone outspoken on the Washington Redskins and what is not working. Maybe it is an obvious question, but why so passionate? Why so intense in terms of your critique or criticism of the Redskins?"

John Riggins: "First of all, it's what I do, JB. I have been in broadcasting for the last 15 to 20 years, so it is sort of my job. And the other part is, and I've been asked this question a lot, when they say do you have an ax to grind? And I think any time an older player criticizes or says anything about his former team, unless he's throwing Bon Mots at them, that all of a sudden you get a, 'What's he griping at?' type of thing. Maybe that's the case. But truthfully, I do have an ax to grind and I just realized I have been a little bit disingenuous. But this is a bad guy that owns this team. I'll just tell you that upfront. Bad guy. And if the Commissioner is worried about potential new owners and saying some of these guys shouldn't apply, he might want to police his own inside guys…."

Asked why he believes Snyder is a bad guy, Riggins says that all of the business decisions for the team are driven by ego. He goes on to say, "When you are dealing with someone with the mindset of a child and yet owns a franchise in the NFL. I think you have some problems there."

The Redskins declined to respond to Riggins' comments.

The Redskins are 2-5, and coach Jim Zorn was stripped of play-calling duties after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6.


More from Sporting News: NFL Team Reports: AFC South

Updated Nov 5, 1:16 pm EST
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9 Comments

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  1. <i>undertakeo</i>
    9. Posted by undertakeo Mon Nov 9 12:58am EST

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    The Desel is very correct. Dan Snyder who wants to be called "MR." Snyder is a very egotisical SOB. I remember when he went and had someone cut down trees at his Potomac MD home so that he had a better view of the Parkland. Without even checking with the National Park Service he had approximately 40 trees removed. The Park Service fined him $40,000.00 for this incident. He is so caught up on himself that when his father passed away, he had the Redskins where a patch with this Dad's initial during that season. He also is so cheap that he will not pay a $15.00 pass for his limo driver to drive up to his airplane to pick him up. Apparently you need a pass to drive on a airport tarmac. I feel sorry for his wife, apparently but not confirmed she suffers from Breast Cancer. All she is to him is "Arm Candy". It is my oppinion that he is the real reason that the Washington Redskins are having such a horrible history of bad seasons since he purchased the team. Jack Kent Cooke was not much better, but he did have a winning team and great fan following. Look at Six Flags another investment of Snyder's, It is losing money big time. Keep your day job Dannyboy and sell the Skins to someone that will turn the franchise around instead of running it into the ground as you are doing. Shalom.
  2. <i>ellecram333</i>
    8. Posted by ellecram333 Thu Nov 5 11:51pm EST

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    what a thrill to listen to a sportscaster "say it like it is", Dan Snyder's dark side is what has destroyed the team. You can't keep it a secret....I always thought Dan must be so horrible a person that his evil heart permeates through out the team.
  3. Cap10d
    7. Posted by Cap10d Thu Nov 5 7:19pm EST

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    I always liked Riggins (and hes also a former Jayhawk All American- RCJHKU), and dont like Snyder, but really who cares what he thinks. Snyder paid the money for the team and he is the owner period. He has the right to run the team how he sees fit like it or not, whether it be good or bad. If Riggo was so worried about it he should have bought the team. There are a lot of terrible owners in the NFL , Jerry Jones, Al Davis, etc, etc. As long as they go buy the rules, nothing will be done until we as fans quit buying tickets and going to games and buying jerseys and so forth. Then maybe the owners will get the point and maybe do things differently. Until then it is the way it is and theres nothing anyone can do. Im sure if the Redskins were winning you wouldnt hear no complaints. Since when have they really done anything anyways. They suck just like my chiefs. Thankfully college BB is here and I can forget about FB.
  4. Masoud F
    6. Posted by Masoud F Thu Nov 5 4:14pm EST

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    I dont know if any of you guys watched Inside the NFL last night but Riggo was dead on right about everything he said. It ultimetly comes down to this fact and as fans we need to be smarter. Why go to games and buy Redskins merchandise when at the end of the end all that money goes back in Snyder's pockets and hope noone forgot that Snyder is also the one who is sueing fans during this down economy over season tickets. Snyder is the biggest douchbag ever. I will not spend my hard earned money of this Franchise and help Snyder get richer.
  5. Jason C
    5. Posted by Jason C Thu Nov 5 2:52pm EST

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    True indeed Dan Snyder is not a good owner, but calling him a bad guy just because he sucks at running a team makes John Riggins look like he's getting a little senile.

    If Snyder was "allegedly" involved with the mob or if he participated in suspicious activities in the past that would warrant accusations of being a bad guy... But at the end of the day he's just a billionaire who doesn't know as much about football as he thinks he does.. nothing more, nothing less.
  6. Spidervol
    4. Posted by Spidervol Thu Nov 5 1:49pm EST

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    On the surface, Riggin's comments sound too harsh... but when you go down the list of atrocities, he's absolutely right to call Snyder out on his infantile, emotional decisions. Snyder's a marketing nerd, end of story.
  7. Spidervol
    3. Posted by Spidervol Thu Nov 5 1:48pm EST

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    On the surface, Riggin's comments sound too harsh... but when you go down the list of atrocities, he's absolutely right to call Snyder out on his infantile, emotional decisions. Snyder's a marketing nerd, end of story.
  8. Theresa
    2. Posted by Theresa Thu Nov 5 1:46pm EST

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    Wtgggg diesel!!!! they have been a bad team (in my opinion) since snyder bought them. grow the f*** up snyder and plz sell!!!!
  9. Masoud F
    1. Posted by Masoud F Thu Nov 5 1:29pm EST

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    I love Riggo, tell it like it is brother!!!!!!!!!!!
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