You have to love the kid. Besides having watched all the interviews, the Combine, game film and film from his pro day, I had heard and read all of the first-hand accounts about smart, how humble, how fast, and how grounded he is. It was obvious even through the HDMI cables that have brought this young man into our living rooms for the last several weeks. Robert Griffin, III, the Washington Redskins’ new quarterback, has “IT.”
As he walked into the Interview Room yesterday out at FEDEX Field, it was a familiar sight. His distinctive dreads, partially hidden under a Redskins ball cap that, as he put it, “actually fit” (evidently, the one he was given Friday night as he joined NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on stage at the draft was too small) and the big, wide smile were both there in evidence. The hat looked good and he looked comfortable wearing it.
Some of the things he said during the press conference were familiar in meaning, if not the words themselves. But there was something… just something… that set the things he was saying apart from the same “party line” that we’re used to hearing from people in the spotlight. Some of his charm is his sense of humor, which is often in evidence. But there was something extra in his words… clarity, an understanding of the way it really should be and an enlightenment that is unusual in a lot of youngsters.
What I realized after watching him; and thinking back on the things he, his coach from Baylor University and his parents have said or described, was that Robert Griffin, III obviously has put in some extra – or special – effort in everything he has done throughout his young life. And the results of those additional efforts now separate him from others in situations similar to his.
My favorite answer during the press conference was one that, in my opinion, illustrates just how well this kid understands his role now. It’s not so much because it is an example of his understanding of an offense or how different the NFL is going to be from collegiate ball. It is because it showed that he understands about how to come to a team with the problems that the Redskins have had and how to manage himself and the expectations of his teammates and the fans.
Below are some of the questions that came up during the presser and his answers. I’ve highlighted the sections that demonstrate what I’m talking about – both the humor and the mature thinking. I’m not going to explain why these things are special… Redskins’ fans are smart. They will see it.
Some guys, when they get drafted, have players on the roster that they’ve had friendships or relationship with. Do you know any of your teammates? – Lake Lewis (Sports Journey Broadcast Network) – 11:14 on video
“I’m familiar with players on the roster [but have] no friendships. I do know [Brian] Orakpo. He played at Texas so no friendships there, but we’re cool now because we’re all part of Redskins Nation, so that’s all that matters. I am familiar with a lot of the guys. Santana Moss was a guy I watched. I’m not going to mention his age, but he was a guy I watched growing up. I wanted to go to ‘The U’ so it will be a pleasure playing with him. Of course, there’s Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan who just came in, Anthony Armstrong, Brandon Banks, Terrence Austin, [and] Leonard Hankerson. I could go on there for days with the receivers because those are my guys. That’s who I’ve got to throw the ball to. Y’know, Roy Helu, the running back, Evan Royster, [and] Tim Hightower if he comes back. I’m familiar with the guys on the team. I want them to know that I am looking them up and thinking about meeting them. Hopefully I can form good relationships with them. But I have been doing my homework. I know a little bit about just about everybody because those are my teammates now.”
Asked about the hype (for the 100th time):
“You’ve just got to realize it’s about more than just one person.”
When did you become comfortable with your celebrity status? (partial answer)
“When you’re successful, people are going to want a part of you… I hope the Redskins, the teammates that I now have, will join me in that battle, and hopefully the spotlight, all the cameras and all the flashes, will get worse for everybody because that means we’re doing what we’re supposed to do, and that’s win football games.”
Are you comfortable coming here now that you’ve seen what this team needs?
“I think a lot of times the media can take what the fans and the expectations are and just maybe misplace it a little bit. The fans aren’t excited just because I’m coming into town. They’re excited because of the pieces that are already in place with the Washington Redskins, so that’s what I try to tell people. You have a great defense, they’ve added weapons on offense, and they brought me in to be the quarterback, so that’s what all the excitement’s about. It’s not just about me being here. It’s about the team that’s already here with the addition of myself.”
Do you have any plans of getting out into the D.C. community?
“Well, I have no plans as of yet. I’ll definitely talk to some people and see what I can do within the city but I do love giving back. I mean, I was a kid once – and still am – but [as a kid] you want to see those stars show you that they care about you. Also, with the Play60 stuff, I had a lot of fun out there with those kids. I had an all-girls team at one point and girls don’t even play football. It was great. So, no matter what it is ; going to the hospitals, going to schools and talking to kids, reading books to them, if you just show them that you care about them, a lot of times it can help them go out and continue to try and catch their dream.”
One of my favorite answers was to this challenge:
It’s no big secret that there’s not been a whole bunch of stability at the quarterback position on this team. [Can you bring some?]
“I try not to take the weight of the past 20 years on my own shoulders. I realize there are other guys on this team that can help us be successful. I don’t have to do everything. All of these guys are very talented – many all-Americans, many all-conference players. Everybody’s on this team for a reason. They want to win, and they’re good at what they do…”
There will always be those that will want your time, want a piece of you. Are you able to maybe disappoint some people by being saying ‘No. ‘Can’t do it’?
“I mean, it’s tough to disappoint people. Most times people surround themselves with ‘yes men,’ but I’ve surrounded myself with a couple ‘no men.’ We are going to have a couple ‘no men’ on my side to try and help me out, but I try and do what I can to help people. Everybody is fighting for the same thing. They want to be happy, they want to be successful, but time in life is precious and sometimes people don’t realize that you can’t get it back. Time is money, but we’re not going to mention money. Like I said, time is precious. And I like my time, but I also like to help others.”
As possible starting quarterback, what expectations do you have for your teammates, all the other players?
“I just hope that they know that I’m here to work. It’s not all about show. You can never walk up to a 30-year-old man when you’re 22 and tell him what to do. You have to earn his respect, so I just want them to know that I’m here to work and I’m ready to help this team win. Especially in the NFL, the difference between winning and losing is so small. It’s all about your mindset and how you approach the game, so I try to approach the game with a positive mindset. Knowing that if you trust your preparation, no one can beat you. So we’re going to prepare, whether it’s in the weight room, on the field, in the film room, all those types of things. I’m going to prepare myself to the point that I feel like I can’t be beat, and I expect the same thing out of my teammates.”
There is no way this young man is going to be a bust. Even with the typical rookie issues – and he will have them – there is not one thing about Robert Griffin NOT to like – as a person or a quarterback. The base talent can be seen on the film and the intelligence found on the paper. It’s the intangibles that separate him from many other talented young quarterbacks. As long as he can stay healthy, I expect this organization has found their franchise quarterback for years to come.
When Griffin went out to the podium on the field and spoke to the crowd there, he showed the same humor, enthusiasm and humility he has displayed in every interview or appearance he’s done. By the same token, he was confident enough to sing the Redskins’ fight song into the microphone with thousands of people watching and listening. And even though he was a little off on the tune, it was close enough to be charming as well because it was obvious he had put some extra effort into learning it.
Hail.