There’s no doubt that the Washington Commanders’ 2012 season, led by rookie QB Robert Griffin III, was a special one.
However, something about the team naming Griffin as its “legend of the game” prior to Sunday’s matchup against the Cowboys doesn’t sit right.
In 2012, Griffin was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year as he threw for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns to five interceptions, while adding 815 yards and seven scores on the ground. Washington went 10-6, ending the regular season with seven straight victories, en route to the NFC East title.
Then, in the team’s Wild Card playoff game, Griffin tore his ACL and never rekindled his rookie magic. Making matters worse, though, was the way he handled the situation and effectively burned his bridge with the Washington franchise.
He consistently threw his teammates under the bus. He and his father tried to undermine head coach Mike Shanahan, eventually manipulating team owner Dan Snyder into firing him (and then openly gloating about it). He held a bitter attitude towards Kirk Cousins, who he was benched for during the 2015 season.
Even after his time in Washington ended, Griffin remained hostile towards the organization. While Snyder and the franchise were under investigation due to their toxic workplace environment, he jumped on the opportunity to announce he was writing a book about his experiences. Suspiciously, the book was never released.
Now, though, with Snyder (who was Griffin’s No. 1 enabler) out of the picture, he’s decided he wants to make nice with the organization by reminiscing about the good times. Those good times, mind you, lasted for one season.
Any positive legacy Griffin has in Washington is a product of the rose-colored possibility of “what could have been.” The reality is that he was a distraction for much longer than he was a hero, and still to this day has never taken responsibility for his role in why the relationship soured.
Griffin is not a Washington legend. He’s an opportunist trying to capitalize on the positive attention currently surrounding the franchise — nothing more.