Meeting a DC Sports Hero in the Elevator
Washington Redskin. Kansas Jayhawk. He called me "son."
Today’s post is part of my DC Diaries collection. No serious confrontations. Just a real story of happenstance.
Listen on Spotify or Apple or Amazon
The Meet
The elevator opened and I stepped on from the top floor of a K Street law firm with a subpoena in hand. The plan was to get back to ground level, look up the obscure address in Northern Virginia in my trusty ADC map and make an afternoon serve that needed expediting.
The plan wasn’t to be put in my place.
Two floors down the elevator slowed to a stop, the doors opened, and John Riggins stepped in.
John Riggins.
Super Bowl MVP for the Washington Redskins.
Kansas Jayhawk.
The guy who went to sleep on a banquet room floor, in a tux, with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor giving a speech.
Flanked by two men in suits, John and his “team” were all business. There was an air about them that said, “Leave us alone.”
Still, I couldn’t overcome the urge. I had to say something. I’m not usually star-struck. But John and I, well, we had a connection. Sort of.
I turned.
“Mr. Riggins, I went to Kansas, too.”
He looked right through me with no expression. He wasn’t mad. But clearly, he didn’t want to be having this conversation.
“A lot of people did, son.” He dismissed me. It was in the tone of voice.
I turned back, smiled to myself in the elevator door reflection, and we all went our separate directions once we reached the ground floor. Me to my illegally parked Ford Escort. John & Co. to a black SUV parked right in front with a patient driver already opening the rear passenger door.
The interaction makes me chuckle when I tell the story. It also put me in my place. Washington, DC is full of people you read about, see on television and cheer or boo from the cheap seats.
You might believe you think you know them. You don’t.
Next Week
A true story you probably won’t believe. Nevertheless, it happened.
The Last Sunlight Station - a chance meeting on the Red Line.
The Podcast - Author’s Note
I’m amazed at how fast the podcast is getting traction. Even faster than readership. Maybe it’s because of the speed of our lives now days?
In any case, listen to The Behavioral Detective wherever you get your podcasts.
Notice of Assignment - Fall Release
A Cal Brink File, this will be my debut novella. It’s written. Right now it is editing. And I’ve hired a professional who is blessing the project.
If you’d like to know more and have access to advance copies, then enroll here at CalBrink.com
I’d tell you the premise, but it’s at the link.
Behavioral Detective Facebook and Reels
Here I share tidbits of tradecraft and where I see fraud in today’s world of real estate. The Zoom fraud. AI voice cloning. Appraisal fraud. The crimes are the same. The technology has advanced to frightening levels.
Reading Recommendations
I am honored to have been listed on the Thriller & Mystery Author Directory. So many good reads to be found. Give it a look.
Chris Lengquist
A Chris Writes, LLC Publication
Not legal advice / not professional guidance / do not imitate tactics
Fictionalized/composite/altered details + no identification intended
Read full legalese here
© 2026 Chris Writes, LLC. All Rights Reserved