Robert Griffin III

1. Overview

Robert Lee Griffin III, often known by his nicknames RGIII or RG3, is an American former professional American football quarterback who played for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL), most notably with the Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Baylor Bears, where he achieved significant recognition, including winning the prestigious Heisman Trophy in his senior year. Selected as the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins, Griffin had an immediate and impactful rookie season. During this period, he set league records for the highest rookie passer rating and the best touchdown-to-interception ratio, guiding the Redskins to their first division title since 1999. His impressive performance earned him the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and Pro Bowl honors. However, a severe knee injury sustained during the playoffs significantly impacted his career trajectory. Despite his initial success, Griffin struggled to replicate his rookie form due to subsequent injuries and inconsistent play, eventually losing his starting position to Kirk Cousins in 2015. He later signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2016, where his tenure was again affected by injuries, leading to his release at the end of the season. After a year as a free agent, he joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, playing his final three seasons primarily as a backup quarterback before concluding his playing career. Post-playing, Griffin transitioned into a career as a sports analyst for ESPN and launched his own podcast, "RG3 and The Ones."

2. Early Life and Background

Robert Griffin III's early life was marked by his unique birthplace due to his parents' military service and frequent relocations before the family settled permanently in Texas. He demonstrated exceptional athletic talent across multiple sports from a young age, particularly in football and track and field, which garnered significant attention even before his collegiate career began.

### Childhood and Family ###
Robert Lee Griffin III was born on February 12, 1990, in Okinawa, Japan. His parents, Robert Griffin Jr. and Jacqueline (née Ross), were both U.S. Army sergeants stationed there at the time of his birth. The family resided in Japan until Griffin was three years old, and his two older sisters, who lived there for an extended period, are proficient in Japanese. Following their time in Japan, the family relocated to Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Washington, and subsequently to New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1997, after his parents retired from military service, the family finally settled in Copperas Cove, Texas, when Griffin was seven years old.

Griffin's paternal grandfather, Robert Griffin Sr., was a foreman for a construction company in New Orleans. He suffered from glaucoma for several years and passed away in 1984 at the age of 43 due to a brain aneurysm. Financial hardships following his grandfather's death led the family to move to the Desire Projects neighborhood in New Orleans. His father, Robert Griffin Jr., had been a basketball player at Kennedy High School in New Orleans before enlisting in the Army, where he met Jacqueline while stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado.

### High School and Athletic Career ###
Griffin attended Copperas Cove High School in Texas, where he was a standout multi-sport athlete for the Bulldogs, excelling in basketball, football, and track. His mother initially had reservations about him playing American football due to safety concerns, but Griffin, determined to play, convinced her by assuring her, "I won't get caught by anyone, so I'll never get injured," a promise he remarkably kept, earning her approval.

In football, Griffin started as a quarterback for two seasons. During his junior season, he recorded 2,001 passing yards and 25 touchdowns with only 2 interceptions, while also adding 876 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns. His performance earned him first-team All-District 16-4A honors. As a senior, he continued to impress, tallying 1,285 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, alongside 1,356 passing yards and 16 touchdowns with 7 interceptions. In his senior year, Copperas Cove achieved a 13-2 record but fell in the championship game of the 2007 Class 4A Division I state playoffs. Across his two starting seasons, he accumulated a total of 2,161 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns, and 3,357 passing yards and 41 touchdowns with 9 interceptions, though his teams lost two state championship games.

Griffin also had a highly distinguished career in track and field. He broke Texas state records in both the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles, running the 110-meter hurdles in 13.55 s and the 300-meter hurdles in 35.33 s, with the latter being just 0.01 s shy of tying the national high school record at the time. He also won gold medals in the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles on the AAU track and field circuit. As a junior in 2007, he was ranked the top high school 400-meter intermediate hurdler in the country and was tied for the top spot nationally in the 110-meter sprint hurdles. His personal best in the 110-meter hurdles, 13.46 s, ranked fifth globally among junior athletes in 2007. His 2007 best time in the 400-meter hurdles, 49.56 s (which he later improved to 49.22 s on May 18, 2008), led all juniors worldwide for that year. Also in his junior year, Griffin received the Gatorade Texas Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year award and was named to USA Today′s 2007 All-USA Track and Field team.

### College Recruitment ###
During the college recruiting period, Griffin was highly sought after by numerous universities for his athletic prowess. Rivals.com, a prominent college football recruiting service, rated him as the fourth-best dual-threat quarterback in the nation and the 42nd-best player overall in Texas for the high school prospect class of 2008.

Griffin received offers and was pursued by notable programs such as Stanford, Tennessee, Kansas, Nebraska, Houston, Tulsa, Illinois, Washington State, and Oregon. He initially committed to play for the University of Houston under head coach Art Briles. However, when Briles left Houston to accept the head coaching position at Baylor University, Griffin decided to switch his commitment. He eventually signed a letter of intent to play for Baylor, partly influenced by the university's strong track and field program, which allowed him to continue pursuing his athletic talents in both football and track.

Prior to the 2012 NFL Draft, Griffin participated in the NFL Combine. His physical measurements and athletic performance at the combine were notable: he measured 6 feet 2.375 in tall, weighed 223 lb ^{(223 lb)}, and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 s. He also recorded a vertical jump of 39 in and a broad jump of 10 ft. His arm span was 32.25 in and hand span 9.5 in. He scored 24 on the Wonderlic Test, a cognitive ability assessment used in the NFL.

3. College Career

Robert Griffin III's collegiate years at Baylor University were marked by both significant academic and athletic achievements, culminating in a historic Heisman Trophy win and setting numerous school records. His dedication to education was evident through his early graduation and pursuit of a master's degree, while his on-field performance steadily improved, transforming Baylor's football program.

### Academic Achievements ###
Robert Griffin III demonstrated a strong commitment to academics throughout his education. He graduated from high school a semester early, having served as class president and ranking seventh in his graduating class. He began attending Baylor University in the spring 2008 semester at the age of 17.

During his time at Baylor, Griffin completed his bachelor's degree in political science in three years, achieving a commendable 3.67 GPA and appearing on the dean's list twice. His academic dedication continued as he pursued a master's degree in communications during his final year of college sports eligibility in 2011. In recognition of his combined academic and athletic excellence, Griffin was named an Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education in 2011.

Beyond football, Griffin was also a significant contributor to Baylor's track and field team. He secured first place in the 400-meter hurdles at both the Big 12 Conference Championship and the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship meets. Notably, he broke the NCAA Midwest Regional 400-meter hurdles record. He further showcased his talent by placing third in the NCAA meet and participated in the U.S. Olympic Trials, where he advanced to the semifinals.

### Football Seasons ###
Griffin's football career at Baylor University spanned four seasons, from 2008 to 2011, during which he steadily developed into a collegiate football star.

In the 2008 season, as a true freshman, Griffin started 11 of 12 games for the Baylor Bears. He made his collegiate debut in a loss against Wake Forest, where he completed 11 of 19 passes for 125 yards and rushed for 29 yards with a rushing touchdown. A notable performance came in a 41-21 upset victory over the Texas A&M Aggies, completing 13 of 23 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. His impressive first-year contributions earned him Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors from both the league's coaches and the media. The team concluded the season with a 4-8 record, including a 2-6 record in the Big 12 Conference.

The 2009 season was unfortunately cut short for Griffin. He sustained an isolated tear to his ACL in the first half of the third game against Northwestern State and was sidelined for the remainder of the season. Baylor finished that year with a 4-8 record, going 1-7 in Big 12 play.

Griffin was granted redshirt status for the 2009 season due to his injury, allowing him to enter the 2010 season as a sophomore. This decision was permissible under bylaws that allow players injured after playing less than 30 percent of the season to be eligible for a redshirt. He completed the season with 3,501 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also contributed significantly on the ground with 149 rushes for 635 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. Baylor finished with a 7-6 record, achieving a 4-4 standing in the Big 12.

The 2011 season proved to be historic for both Griffin and Baylor. Despite the Baylor Bears being initially projected to finish sixth in the Big 12 preseason poll, Griffin led them to an extraordinary year. They opened the season with a dramatic 50-48 upset victory over 15th-ranked TCU. In this game, Griffin delivered a stellar performance, passing for 359 yards and 5 touchdowns with a 77.8% completion percentage. He also notably caught a key pass on the game-winning drive. Following this win, Baylor entered the AP Poll rankings for only the third time in 15 seasons, securing the 20th spot, and Griffin emerged as a prominent Heisman Trophy candidate. In week 3, after a bye week, Baylor shut out Stephen F. Austin State University 48-0, with Griffin completing 20 of 22 passes (90.9%) for 247 yards and three touchdowns, along with 78 rushing yards. In week 4, Griffin guided Baylor to a 56-31 victory over Rice University, completing 29 of 33 passes (87.9%) for 338 yards, adding 51 rushing yards and a touchdown. In week 5, against Kansas State, Griffin's effort of 23 of 31 passes (74.2%) for 346 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception was not enough to secure a win, as Baylor lost 36-35. The Bears then secured their fourth win of the season in week 6 against Iowa State, with Griffin completing 22 of 30 passes (73.3%) for 212 yards and 1 touchdown without any interceptions.

Griffin's outstanding performance culminated in him winning the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first player from Baylor University to receive the award. He led Baylor to an impressive 10-3 record, which included a high-scoring 67-56 victory over the Washington Huskies in the Alamo Bowl. This game, with a combined 123 points, set a record as the highest-scoring regulation bowl game in NCAA history. Griffin became the first player since Tim Tebow in 2007 to win the Heisman and not appear in the National Championship game. For the 2011 season, he finished with 4,293 passing yards, 37 passing touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also recorded 179 rushes for 699 rushing yards and ten rushing touchdowns. On January 11, 2012, Griffin announced his decision to enter the 2012 NFL draft.

### College Awards and Records ###
Robert Griffin III's college career was highly decorated, culminating in numerous national awards and setting many records for Baylor University.

His major awards and honors include:

• 2011 Heisman Trophy winner
• 2011 Associated Press College Football Player of the Year winner
• 2011 Davey O'Brien Award winner
• 2011 Manning Award winner
• 2011 Consensus All-American
• 2011 First Team Academic All-Big 12
• 2010 Baylor's Kyle Woods Inspirational Leader
• 2008 Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year
• 2008 Sporting News and Rivals.com freshman first team All-American
• 2008 Big 12 gold medalist (400 m hurdles)
• 2008 Track & Field All-American (400 m hurdles)
• 2008 Baylor Offensive MVP

Griffin established or equaled an impressive 8 single-game, 26 single-season, and 20 career Baylor records.
Key school records include:

• 2008 Season:**
  • Most Rushing yards by a freshman: 843
  • Most Rushing yards by a QB: 843
  • Most Rushing yards in a game: 217
  • Highest Rushing yards per attempt in a game: 19.7 (vs. Washington State, 11 carries for 217 yards; also a conference record)
  • Most Rushing touchdowns in a season: 13 (tied)
  • Most Rushing touchdowns by a QB in a season: 13
• 2011 Season:**
  • Most Passing yards in a season: 4,293
  • Most Touchdown passes in a season: 37
  • Highest Passing efficiency rating in a season: 189.5
  • Highest Completion percentage in a season: 72.4%
  • Most Total offense in a season: 4,992 yards
• Career Records:**
  • Most Passing yards: 10,366
  • Most Touchdown passes: 78
  • Highest Passing efficiency rating: 158.9
  • Highest Completion percentage: 67.1%
  • Most Total offense: 12,620 yards
  • Most Rushing touchdowns by a QB: 23
  • Most 100-yard Rushing games by a QB in a season: 4
  • Most 100-yard Rushing games by a QB in a career: 5

4. Professional Career

Robert Griffin III's professional career in the National Football League (NFL) began with significant promise after being a top draft pick, but it was ultimately shaped by a series of injuries and changes in team dynamics across his tenures with the Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens.

### NFL Draft and Entry ###
Prior to his junior season at Baylor, Robert Griffin III was not initially considered a first-round draft pick. However, by midseason, his exceptional play had attracted considerable attention from NFL scouts and analysts, leading to projections of him being an early first-round selection. By the end of his junior year, Griffin had firmly established himself as the second-best quarterback prospect for the 2012 NFL draft, universally ranked behind only Andrew Luck.

Griffin was widely anticipated to be the second overall pick in the draft. The St. Louis Rams, who originally held the second pick, decided to trade it as they were committed to Sam Bradford as their long-term starting quarterback, whom they had selected first overall in the 2010 NFL draft. A bidding war ensued, with the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins being the primary contenders. Ultimately, the Redskins acquired the second overall pick from the Rams in a significant trade, sending four high-value draft picks over three years: their first-round picks in 2012 (No. 6 overall), 2013 (No. 22 overall), and 2014 (No. 2 overall), along with their second-round pick (No. 39 overall) in 2012.

As expected, the Redskins selected Robert Griffin III as the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. This made him the second Baylor Bear to be drafted so high in four years, following Jason Smith in 2009. More notably, he was the first Baylor quarterback to be chosen second overall since Adrian Burk in the 1950 NFL Draft. Immediately after the draft, in May 2012, Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan declared Griffin the team's starting quarterback. Griffin's popularity soared, and his jersey sales topped the NFL shop.com charts in May 2012, surpassing other popular players. Despite his rising celebrity, Griffin stated before training camp that he had no interest in participating in various awards ceremonies or commercials, preferring to avoid being treated as a "special case." In July 2012, he also publicly dismissed romantic interest expressed by celebrity Kim Kardashian, stating he had no interest.

### Washington Redskins (2012-2015) ###
Robert Griffin III's tenure with the Washington Redskins was a rollercoaster of incredible highs and challenging lows, primarily marked by a spectacular rookie season followed by a series of injuries that significantly hampered his performance and led to his eventual departure.

4.1. 2012 Season: Rookie Success and Injury

Griffin wore number 10 for the Redskins, with "Griffin III" on the back of his jersey. This was a historic first in the "Big Four" professional sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA) to feature a Roman numeral on a player's jersey, a change the NFL implemented in 2012 to permit generational titles in names. He had previously used "Griffin III" in college to differentiate himself from another Robert Griffin on the Baylor team. On July 18, 2012, the Redskins officially signed him to a four-year contract valued at 21.10 M USD, which included a 13.80 M USD signing bonus.

On September 9, 2012, Griffin made his debut as the NFL's first starting quarterback born in the 1990s. His performance in the season opener against the New Orleans Saints was exceptional, completing 19 of 26 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns, along with 10 carries for 42 rushing yards, contributing to a 40-32 victory. For this dominant debut, he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week, an unprecedented honor for a rookie quarterback in their first game. He also earned the NFL Rookie of the Week title for Week 1 and again for Week 4 after the Redskins defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On October 4, he was recognized as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for September.

In Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons, Griffin suffered a mild concussion after a hard hit by Sean Weatherspoon and left the game in the third quarter. Despite this, he was cleared to play the following week against the Minnesota Vikings, where he had another remarkable performance, highlighted by a 76-yard rushing touchdown. This game ended the Redskins' home-game losing streak, and Griffin was named NFL Rookie of the Week for a third time.

During the Redskins' bye week on November 14, Griffin was voted an offensive co-captain by his teammates. Following the Redskins' 31-6 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, he received his second NFC Offensive Player of the Week award. His performance included 200 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and an additional 84 rushing yards, culminating in a perfect 158.3 passer rating. This made him the first rookie in NFL history to achieve 200+ passing yards, 4+ passing touchdowns, and 75+ rushing yards in a single game. Furthermore, at 22 years and 284 days old, he became the youngest player in NFL history to record a perfect passer rating in a game, a record that stood until 2015 when Marcus Mariota broke it. In the Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12, Griffin continued his stellar play, completing 20 of 28 passes for 311 yards, with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception, leading the team to a 38-31 victory. He was named the Rookie of the Week for the fifth time and Offensive Rookie of the Month for November.

In Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens on December 9, Griffin sustained another injury scare when defensive end Haloti Ngata hit his right knee, causing it to twist. Later in the fourth quarter, after a 13-yard rush, Griffin was tackled and hopped on one leg before exiting the game. Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins stepped in and led the Redskins to a 31-28 overtime victory. The following day, it was confirmed Griffin had a Grade 1 LCL sprain. He sat out the Week 15 game against the Browns to heal, with Cousins starting in his place. Griffin returned for Week 16 and led the Redskins to another victory over the Eagles.

A controversy arose on January 6, 2013, the day of the NFC wild card game against the Seattle Seahawks, when USA Today reported that Dr. James Andrews had not cleared Griffin to return to play in the December 9 Ravens game, contrary to head coach Mike Shanahan's earlier statement. Griffin subsequently re-injured his knee in the wild card loss to the Seahawks, undergoing surgery on January 9 to repair both his LCL and ACL.

Despite the injury, Griffin's rookie season was widely regarded as a success. He set NFL rookie records for the highest passer rating (102.4) and the highest touchdown-to-interception ratio (4:1), though both records have since been surpassed by Dak Prescott. Aside from the Week 15 game, Griffin was instrumental in the Redskins' turnaround, leading them on a 7-game winning streak after a 3-6 start, securing their first playoff appearance since 2007 and their first NFC East division title since 1999. In recognition of his rookie year achievements, Griffin was selected for the 2013 Pro Bowl on December 26, though he was later replaced by Drew Brees due to his knee injuries. He was also honored with the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, becoming only the second Redskins quarterback to receive this distinction after Heath Shuler in 1994. Among his peers, Griffin was ranked 15th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.

4.2. 2013-2015 Seasons: Injuries and Decline

The 2013 season began with controversy regarding Griffin's readiness, as he did not play in any preseason games before debuting in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He struggled to replicate his rookie success throughout the first half of the season, remaining statistically below expectations. A bright spot came in Washington's Week 7 game against the Chicago Bears, where Griffin led the Redskins to a 45-41 victory, recording 298 passing yards and two touchdowns, including a 45-yard touchdown pass to Aldrick Robinson. However, the team's performance declined, suffering 24 sacks in five games from Week 10 to Week 14 due to breakdowns in pass protection. The Redskins' 27-6 loss against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12 marked the first game in Griffin's entire collegiate and professional career where he failed to score a single offensive touchdown. On December 11, head coach Mike Shanahan announced that Griffin would be inactive for the final three games of the season, with Kirk Cousins taking over as the starter, citing the need to prevent further injury to Griffin. He concluded the 2013 season with 3,203 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, alongside 86 carries for 489 rushing yards and no rushing touchdowns.

The 2014 season brought further injury setbacks for Griffin. In Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he was carted off the field after suffering a dislocated left ankle. Despite X-rays and MRIs revealing no fractures, the injury sidelined him for several weeks. He was reported to return in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings. However, the Redskins then lost their next three games to the Vikings, Buccaneers, and 49ers. On November 25, Griffin was benched in favor of Colt McCoy. After McCoy sustained a neck injury against the New York Giants, Griffin re-entered the game and showed glimpses of his earlier form, throwing for 236 yards and 1 touchdown in a loss. He was subsequently named the starter for the remainder of the year after McCoy was placed on injured reserve. Griffin responded by leading the team to a 27-24 victory over the Eagles, where he threw for 220 yards and had one interception. In the final game of the year against the Dallas Cowboys, Griffin displayed signs of his rookie-year capabilities, throwing for a season-high 336 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) in a 44-17 loss. He finished the 2014 season with a 2-5 record as a starter, and the Redskins ended the year 4-12, last in the NFC East.

In the 2015 season, Griffin's struggle for the starting role intensified. During Week 2 of preseason against the Detroit Lions, he sustained a concussion after fumbling the ball and having a defensive lineman fall on him. Although he was initially medically cleared by a physician, the same physician later deemed him not ready for the subsequent game against the Ravens, leading to backup Kirk Cousins getting the start. Following the Redskins' win over the Ravens, Cousins was officially named the starting quarterback for the regular-season opener and onwards. Griffin ended up third on the quarterback depth chart, behind Cousins and Colt McCoy, and remained inactive for the entire regular season. On March 7, 2016, Robert Griffin III was officially released by the Washington Redskins, bringing an end to his eventful tenure with the team.

### Cleveland Browns (2016) ###
After his release from the Washington Redskins, Robert Griffin III sought a fresh start with the Cleveland Browns. On March 24, 2016, he signed a two-year contract worth 15.10 M USD with the Browns. On August 8, 2016, Browns head coach Hue Jackson officially named Griffin the team's starting quarterback for the upcoming 2016 season.

However, his time in Cleveland was also plagued by injuries. In the Browns' season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Griffin suffered a shoulder injury, which led to him being placed on injured reserve on September 12. He was activated from injured reserve on December 9, 2016, just prior to Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals. During the 2016 season, Griffin played in five games, all of which he started. He completed 87 of 147 passes for 886 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Additionally, he rushed for 190 yards and two touchdowns. On March 10, 2017, after just one season with the team and a year after signing his contract, Griffin was released by the Browns. He remained a free agent for the entire 2017 NFL season.

### Baltimore Ravens (2018-2020) ###
Following a year in free agency, Robert Griffin III signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens on April 4, 2018. On September 2, 2018, he was named the team's backup quarterback, primarily backing up Joe Flacco and rookie Lamar Jackson. Griffin made limited appearances, playing in three games during the 2018 season.

On March 21, 2019, Griffin re-signed with the Ravens on a two-year contract, continuing his role as a backup to Lamar Jackson (who had taken over the starting position). In July 2019, Griffin suffered a fractured thumb, an injury that was expected to sideline him for 4-8 weeks. Despite this, he returned in time for the regular-season opener on September 8, 2019, against the Miami Dolphins. In that game, which the Ravens won 59-10, Griffin entered in relief of Jackson and completed all six of his pass attempts for 55 yards and one touchdown. In Week 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Griffin participated in a unique play where he lined up as a running back alongside Mark Ingram II and Lamar Jackson in the backfield. This moment was likely the first time in NFL history that three former Heisman Trophy winners were on the field together in the same backfield formation. In Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Griffin made his first start since the 2016 season, as the Ravens had already secured the top seed in the AFC playoffs and opted to rest their primary starters. During the 28-10 victory, Griffin threw for 96 yards and an interception while also rushing for 50 yards.

For the 2020 season, Griffin was named the starter for the Ravens' Week 12 matchup against the Steelers due to Lamar Jackson testing positive for COVID-19. However, Griffin himself injured his left hamstring late in the second quarter of the game, though he remained in play until the fourth quarter before being replaced by Trace McSorley. He finished the game completing 7 of 12 passes for 33 yards and an interception (which was returned for a touchdown by former Browns teammate Joe Haden), in addition to seven rushes for 68 yards, in a 19-14 loss. He was subsequently placed on injured reserve on December 4, 2020. Robert Griffin III was waived by the Ravens on January 18, 2021, marking the end of his professional playing career.

5. Post-Playing Career

Following his departure from professional football, Robert Griffin III transitioned into new ventures, leveraging his extensive sports knowledge and public persona.

### Sports Analyst ###
In August 2021, Griffin signed a multi-year contract with ESPN, embarking on a new career as a sports analyst. In this role, he provided commentary and analysis for both college football coverage and the network's flagship show, NFL Live. Despite this new endeavor, Griffin publicly expressed his continued desire to play professional football, and his contract with ESPN was structured to allow him to sign with an NFL team if such an opportunity arose. In 2022, he expanded his role at ESPN, joining Monday Night Countdown as an analyst, replacing Randy Moss. However, ahead of the 2024 NFL season, he was replaced on the program by Jason Kelce, and subsequently, on August 15, 2024, ESPN terminated his contract.

### Podcasting ###
In September 2023, Robert Griffin III ventured into the world of podcasting with the launch of his own series, "RG3 and The Ones," available on YouTube. The podcast focuses on in-depth interviews with various personnel involved with the NFL, offering insights into the league from different perspectives.

6. Personal Life

Beyond his athletic endeavors, Robert Griffin III's personal life reflects his commitment to family, his Christian faith, and significant philanthropic efforts.

### Family and Relationships ###
Robert Griffin III began dating Rebecca Liddicoat, a fellow Baylor student, in 2009. The couple married on July 6, 2013. In 2015, Rebecca gave birth to their first child, a daughter. However, in August 2016, it was reported that Griffin and Liddicoat were separated and in the process of filing for divorce.

Also in August 2016, Griffin became romantically linked with Estonian heptathlete Grete Šadeiko. They announced their engagement on May 13, 2017. In 2017, Griffin publicly announced the birth of his second daughter via Instagram. The couple officially married on March 10, 2018. Their third daughter was born in September 2019. On December 31, 2022, Griffin abruptly departed from Pat McAfee's alternate broadcast of the December 2022 Fiesta Bowl upon learning that Šadeiko was in labor with their fourth child, another daughter.

### Personal Beliefs and Lifestyle ###
Griffin grew up as a fan of the Denver Broncos and particularly admired Mike Shanahan, who later became his head coach during his first two seasons with the Redskins. He is an evangelical Christian and has frequently stated that his relationship with God is the "most important influence" in his life. Griffin maintains a disciplined lifestyle, abstaining from smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use. He has explained his choices by stating, "I need my body to be at its peak performance, and I want to have a long career."

### Endorsements and Philanthropy ###
During his professional playing career, particularly before his rookie season with the Washington Redskins, Robert Griffin III signed numerous endorsement deals with prominent companies. These included Adidas, Castrol Motor Oil, EA Sports, EvoShield, Gatorade, Nissan, and Subway. According to ESPN's Dollars blog, Griffin's endorsement earnings were so substantial that he "earned more than any other rookie in NFL history before throwing his first regular-season pass."

Beyond commercial ventures, Griffin is deeply involved in charitable work through his own organization, the RGIII Foundation. This foundation is dedicated to assisting underprivileged youth, military families, and victims of domestic violence, highlighting his commitment to social contributions. In December 2022, the RGIII Foundation sponsored a one-day shopping spree at Walmart for 25 members of the Boys & Girls Clubs in his hometown of Copperas Cove, Texas. The foundation also made a significant contribution in February 2021, donating 10,500 meals to the North Texas Food Bank. Additionally, Griffin has been actively involved with the Family of 3 foundation, an initiative focused on providing support to three new struggling families each year.

While playing for the Redskins, Griffin resided in Leesburg, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C.. In April 2016, he sold this home for 2.70 M USD. He subsequently purchased a new home in Montgomery, Texas for 2.25 M USD.

7. Awards and Honors

Robert Griffin III received numerous awards and honors throughout his high school, college, and professional football careers, reflecting his exceptional talent and impact on the field.

High School

• Gatorade Texas Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year (2007)
• USA Today All-USA Track and Field team (2007)

College

• Heisman Trophy (2011)
• Associated Press College Football Player of the Year (2011)
• Davey O'Brien Award (2011)
• Manning Award (2011)
• 2011 Consensus All-American
• 2011 First Team Academic All-Big 12
• 2010 Baylor's Kyle Woods Inspirational Leader
• 2008 Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year
• 2008 Sporting News and Rivals.com freshman first team All-American
• 2008 Big 12 gold medalist (400 m hurdles)
• 2008 Track & Field All-American (400 m hurdles)
• 2008 Baylor Offensive MVP

Professional

• NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 1, 2012; Week 11, 2012)
• NFL Rookie of the Week (Week 1, 2012; Week 4, 2012; Week 6, 2012)
• NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month (September 2012; November 2012)
• Pro Bowl selection (2013, did not play due to injury)
• 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
• PFWA All-Rookie Team (2012)
• Ranked 15th on NFL Top 100 Players of 2013

8. NFL Career Statistics

### Regular season ###

### Postseason ###