Four months after his dramatic firing from ESPN, the former NFL star Robert Griffin III He insisted that it was all water under the bridge.
Griffin was 34 years old He was let go by the network in August After signing a multi-year contract in 2021. He was replaced by Jason Kelsey As a co-host for ESPN Monday night countdown At the start of the 2024 NFL season.
In an exclusive interview with Us WeeklyGriffin explained how he turned a public ordeal into a private lesson.
“There's no bad blood for me,” said Griffin, who spoke to us through his partnership with USAA ahead of the Army-Navy football game on Saturday, Dec. 14. “Listen, at the end of the day, the reception after what happened” The fans showed me that I was doing it the right way, that I was telling the players’ stories in the right way.
Griffin also told his former co-hosts — Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark and Marcus Spears Everyone stayed on board after he left – and expressed their gratitude on his way out the door.
“My teammates and their reaction told me I was a good teammate to them,” Griffin boasted. “And that's all you can go for.”
During his tenure at ESPN, Griffin was also a color commentator for the network's college football coverage.
“You don't get these opportunities you know?” Griffin said. “You have to earn these opportunities. I'm grateful to ESPN for giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills in video games, but also in the studio.” Monday night countdown. It's something I don't take for granted at all.
Looking to the future, Griffin will be a part of Netflix's NFL Opening Day Coverage On Christmas Day. On Monday, December 9, he was announced as a member of the streamer's massive broadcast team – which also includes names like Drew Brees, GG Watt and Kay Adams — which will prepare fans for a Chiefs-Steelers and Ravens-Texans weekend doubleheader.
Before taking his talents to Netflix, Griffin partnered with USAA to help honor local military families and veterans before Saturday's Army-Navy game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., home of the Washington Commanders, for whom Griffin previously played.
Griffin He has helped mentor and train nearly 100 military children and caregivers from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation at the first-ever Family Football Camp at the Prince George Sports Complex on Wednesday, December 11.
On Friday, Dec. 13, Griffin will help gift two upgraded vehicles to deserving local military families in need of reliable transportation — an Army family and a Navy family — in a ceremony where the vehicles will be presented to the families.
For Griffin — whose parents served in the U.S. Army as sergeants — the collaboration was a no-brainer.
“This is a special bond that military children have with their families because they understand sacrifice,” Griffin explained. “To be able to partner with USAA against the backdrop of Northwest Stadium where I made so many soccer memories in the D.C. area, giving back to kids means the world to me.”
“Making an impact in this area for these people in their lives is something that will last forever for me,” Griffin added. It's one thing to say, 'I'm doing all this, I'm doing all that,' but it's another thing to go out and do it.”