Interview with Kurtiss Riggs

by Anne Adams
Published on May 12, 2001 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)

by Anne Adams

(This is the third in a series of interviews with NIFL players)

Although this is their inaugural season as the Sioux Falls Storm, the team comes almost intact from last year's IFL franchise, the Sioux Falls Cobras. When the Storm joined the NIFL, it had the benefit of the core coaching staff and players, including quarterback Kurtiss Riggs. Kurtiss, an All-American selection and the 1996 NAIA Division II player of the year, stands 6'1", is 200 lbs, 27 years old and wears #12 for the Storm.

When I asked Kurtiss if there were any NFL or Arena players who had influenced his style, he named some of the older players, like Kenny Stabler and Terry Bradshaw. However, Joe Montana deserves a special nod, but not necessarily for his style of play. In Kurtiss' opinion, Joe was not the best athlete out there, but he exhibited extraordinary leadership skills and he knew the game so well. In Arena football, Kurtiss was lucky enough to try out for the Iowa Barnstormers when Kurt Warner was there and admires his perseverance.

A native of San Diego, California, Kurtiss moved to Green River, Wyoming with his mother at the tender age of seven. An only child, he grew up playing both soccer and football in school. Coach Young from the University of Sioux Falls scouted him for the Cougars, where he still holds numerous passing records.

Kurtiss is married and actually met his future wife Lisa when they attended high school together. Lisa attended the University of Wyoming in her freshman year and then transferred to the University of Sioux Falls, where they renewed their relationship, fell in love and then married. They have a 17-month old son, Peyton.

Football has been very good to Kurtiss and afforded him many travel opportunities, originally in high school, when he was able to take a month long trip to Australia to compete in an all-star game. And after college, he also played football in Paris for a year. He and Lisa had an apartment near the Stadium, and managed to see a World Cup soccer game there. The fans at that game, he observes, were "at their best." While in Europe, Kurtiss and Lisa also managed to visit England, Germany, Italy and Holland as well.

A history major with a secondary in education, he is in his third year of teaching ninth grade social studies at Roosevelt High School, where he concentrates on history and leadership. One of the most important messages he tries to impart to his students is the need to resist procrastination. Admittedly his students, 14 and 15-year-olds just entering high school, want to have fun and tend to put their class work off until later. His message is this: Just stay motivated then you don't have to play catch up later!

Kurtiss is also in pursuit of his Masters, and hopes to complete his degree in May 2002, so when I asked him what he does in his leisure time, his first response was that he studies a lot. He also likes to play with his son Peyton and would do that full time if he could. His wife Lisa enjoys fishing and convinced Kurtiss to try it. At first he was reluctant, but now they go fishing as much as possible together. They are also learning to golf together as well.

In an interesting side note, Kurtiss also shared the story of his movie career, being careful to emphasize that there was no acting ability involved at all. Seems he played a stunt double for Dennis Quaid in the movie Any Given Sunday, a 1999 film directed by Oliver Stone which is a behind the scenes look at the life and death struggles of modern day gladiators and those who lead them. Although he enjoyed the experience, it was a one-time opportunity.

And finally I asked Kurtiss my signature question. "Someday, when they make a movie of your life, what actor would you like to see play you in the movie"? His answer: "I don't get to watch a lot of TV or movies, except for the ones I watch with my son. So, maybe Scooby Doo!"

National Indoor Football League Stories from May 12, 2001

• Interview with Kurtiss Riggs - OSC Original by Anne Adams

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