Griffin, Robert, III (1990-…), was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). Griffin was known especially for his ability to scramble—that is, to avoid tacklers as he runs or attempts to pass. He is widely known by the nickname RG3 (or RGIII).
Griffin entered the NFL in 2012 after a successful and highly publicized career at Baylor University. In his senior year at Baylor in 2011, Griffin was named to the All-America team and won the Heisman Memorial Trophy. The trophy is given annually to the outstanding college football player in the United States. He broke or tied over 50 school records at Baylor. The Washington Redskins (now called the Washington Commanders) selected Griffin as the second player in the 2012 NFL draft. In the 2012 season, Griffin set a record for the highest passer rating by a rookie quarterback (102.4) and was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year. A knee injury forced him to miss several games in the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
Griffin suffered several injuries during his career with the Redskins. He was released from the team in early 2016. The Cleveland Browns signed him in March 2016. However, a shoulder injury prevented him from playing for most of the season. In early 2017, Griffin was released by the Browns. The Baltimore Ravens signed Griffin in April 2018. In 2021, Griffin was released by the Ravens and became a college football analyst for ESPN.
Robert Lee Griffin III was born on Feb. 12, 1990, in Okinawa Prefecture in Japan, where both his parents were stationed with the United States Army. Griffin attended high school at Copperas Cove, in central Texas, where he was a star athlete in football, basketball, and track and field. He played football at Baylor from 2008 through 2011 and also gained national recognition as a hurdler on the university track team.
