Washington’s Laid-Back Running Back

The big story in Washington last week was not the President’s budget or the Ed Meese hearings, but the nap John Riggins took at a Washington Press Club black-tie affair honoring new members of Congress.

The accepted version of what happened is that the Redskin running back was the life of the party at his table, which included Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Virginia Gov. Chuck Robb and staffers of People magazine. When the politicians started making speeches, Riggins just stretched out on the floor and went to sleep, not even waking up in time to hear Vice President George Bush.

Waiters stepped over him gingerly as they poured coffee and Justice O’Connor excused herself from the table, explaining she had an early day at the court.

After the speeches were concluded Riggins woke up, thanked everyone for the wonderful evening and was driven home.

The capital’s social arbiters have been discussing the incident ever since.

Many people have fallen asleep during speeches at large black-tie functions in Washington, but this is the first time anyone can recall someone actually sacked out on the floor.

To put the incident into perspective you have to understand the 1984 Washington Redskin game plan. Riggins was the only running back the team had. For 16 games he was asked to pick up four or five yards with 300-pound guards, tackles and linebackers trying to pull him down. He did the job manfully and without complaint, despite the fact that the Redskin offensive line wasn’t what it used to be.

Therefore, friends say, Riggins came off the season very tired and he’s been trying to catch up on his sleep ever since. Since the majority of the people in the ballroom were Redskin fans, they saw nothing wrong with the running back taking a catnap.

As one loyal rooter put it: “As long as he didn’t do it during a game.”

But there are people in Washington who still have a problem with it.

A senator said: “I have no quarrel with Riggins’ behavior, but he may have started a precedent for political dinners that could be very dangerous. What happens if every guest decides to sack out on the floor when one of us gets up to speak? We could face a sea of empty tables.”

A check with the hotel brought this response. “We have rules about people sleeping in the lobby, but to my knowledge we don’t have any concerning people sleeping next to their tables. We’ll probably have to look into it, as we’ve had several complaints from the waiters, who claim it’s hard enough to serve everybody when they’re sitting up.”

Because Washington is so protocol-minded, I called an expert on etiquette to find out if Riggins had made a boo-boo.

She gave me her ruling. “You can only go to sleep on the floor during dinner if the highest-ranking official at the table decides to do so first. Since Justice O’Connor did not stretch out, Mr. Riggins committed a serious faux pas.”

“Suppose he was below the salt?” I asked.

“It doesn’t matter where he was seated,” she said. “Lying down at the table after coffee is a no-no and the hostess should have insisted that Riggins be placed back in his chair.”

“Do you think when the word gets out, John may not be invited to Washington’s better parties?”

“Not necessarily. Mr. Riggins is still a social catch. I know one hostess who is entertaining him next week and to make him more comfortable she is putting a sleeping bag on the floor, next to his place card.”