John Riggins signs restored F-150 for Washington Commanders fans
Two Washington Commanders fans brought a restored 1986 John Riggins Signature Series Ford F-150 to the teams 5 O’Clock Club reception on Nov. 7 and had Hall of Fame running back John Riggins sign the dashboard, the Washington Commanders official news release reported. The reception was part of the jersey retirement weekend honoring Riggins. The Commanders published their news release on Nov. 11, 2026, and the two men later attended the jersey retirement game as VIP guests of the Riggins family.
The truck originally belonged to Danny Hartkes father, Dan Sr., and is one of the limited-edition 1986 John Riggins Signature Series Ford F-150s painted in the teams burgundy and gold with Riggins signature on the sides. Hartkes mother had considered selling the vehicle before Hartke took responsibility for restoring it. Ford produced the special series to commemorate Riggins retirement after the 1985 season, and Dan Sr. used the truck for fishing trips, running errands and driving family members.
Michael Moss led a months-long effort to secure Riggins signature, which included outreach on LinkedIn, conversations with local Washington Legends and a letter that Riggins wife, Lisa Marie Riggins, saved. Moss said he pursued multiple leads and continued trying after near misses. When the organization coordinated with the Riggins family for the jersey retirement weekend, the Commanders reached out to Moss and invited him and Hartke to participate in the events.
At the reception, Riggins stood before the restored truck, examined it and signed the dashboard while Hartke and Moss watched. Moss called the moment surreal after his sustained efforts to contact Riggins, and Hartke described the experience as “unbelievable.” The following day the two men attended the jersey retirement game versus the Rams as VIP guests, and Hartke kept his late fathers electrician uniform in the truck as a reminder that Dan Sr.s presence was part of the weekend.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Commanders coordination of the 5 O’Clock Club reception and the jersey retirement weekend created a deeply personal moment for two longtime fans. The restored Riggins truck offered a tangible link to the teams 1980s championship-era history and allowed the franchise to connect a celebrated alumnus with devoted supporters. The outcome validated months of persistence by the fans and highlighted how team events can produce memorable experiences for both players and followers.