John Riggins Sues Outdoor Channel Show

FAIRFAX, Va. (CN) - NFL Hall of Fame running back John Riggins claims in court that the director of what he intended as his TV show pilot broadcast footage of him hunting and fly fishing on an Outdoor Channel fishing show.

Riggins sued Curtis Fleming and Fly Fishing Expeditions in Fairfax County Court for using footage of him hunting and fishing in Kentucky and West Virginia on Fly Fishing's "Fly Rod Chronicles" show.

Riggins describes Outdoor Channel Holdings as a defendant in the body of the complaint, but not in the header of the lawsuit.

Riggins says he filmed hunting and fly fishing sequences in Kentucky and West Virginia in 2011 for the pilot episode of his outdoors show "44 Outdoors."

He says in the complaint that Fleming accompanied him and "participated in the direction of the filming."

The film was intended solely for his pilot, Riggo says in the complaint.

"Defendants Fleming and FRC [Fly Rod Chronicles] took possession of the images and film footage of Mr. Riggins without his consent and without legal right to do so," the complaint states. "Defendants Fleming, FRC and Outdoor Channel published the images and film footage of plaintiff and, through a contractual relationship with defendant Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc., and its affiliates, caused them to be broadcast on cable television systems no less than six times during 2012 on The Outdoor Channel without plaintiff's consent and without the legal right to do so."

Riggins says the footage was portrayed on Fly Rod Chronicles as "the possession, property and work product of Fly Rod Chronicles."

The episode was called "EMO Riggo Buck."

Riggins describes himself in the complaint as "one of the most famous, recognizable and respected members of the Redskins," and says his membership in the NFL Hall of Fame makes his image "highly marketable and of great value across the United States."

He seeks at least $300,000 in damages for misappropriation of his name and likeness, conversion and unjust enrichment.

He is represented by James Hodges.

Riggins, a bruising running back, scored 104 touchdowns, gained 11,352 yards, and was MVP of Super Bowl XVII in 1983, in which the Redskins upset the favored Miami Dolphins.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit