Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy in 2011 and would be the No. 2 overall pick for the then-Washington Redskins. After multiple years in the NFL, he has transitioned into a podcaster and analyst role for college football and more.
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Griffin also takes opportunities to give back to his community, and has done so in a big way with USAA and the “Positive Steps” initiative, which promotes teaching the youth about taking the steps to live in a positive manner.
Griffin sat down with Newsweek Sports to discuss this initiative, and he sees certain things shaking out in the NFL this season.
What can you tell me about your partnership with USAA?
“Well, I am extremely honored to be partnered with USAA. And this is, you know, going on 15 years with USAA. So very fruitful partnership, giving back to the community. And this new partnership is no different. You know, USA is positive steps program down here in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, just unveiled the USA positive steps staircase went over to Junior Achievement, spend some time with them in the in the young students over there, because the focus here is about people taking positive steps in their lives, whether that be taking the stairs instead of the elevator, financial literacy and allowing them to understand what it takes to live a healthy lifestyle to better prepare them for the future.”
“We want to show them that when they do make it, don’t forget where you came from. Don’t forget about the communities that impacted your life the most. And this community has a huge impact on my life, because I was playing for the Washington Commanders, and they support them, so by default, they were supporting me and my family. So this has been really cool, and I’m really thankful for USAA not just involving me, but being a partner for the past 15 years has really been a joy in my life.”
Griffin also opened up about what he has noticed with teams thus far, and a big focus has been on the Miami Dolphins potentially trading Tyreek Hill, which he believes should happen no matter what.
“The Dolphins need to I think they need to blow it up. And I think blowing it up starts with trading Tyreek Hill, because the vibes in the locker room are off. When you think about Miami, you think positive vibes that the beach life. You know the feel-good moments? And there’s no feel-good moments right now in Miami. It could be because of what he said at the end of last year.
“I saw him on the sideline, kind of going off being frustrated. They got to find a way to get the vibes back right, to get Mike McDaniel back to his quirky self, you know, saying the funny things in the press conferences. But ultimately it comes down to winning. And right now, I don’t know if winning can cure the fracture between the quarterback or the team and Tyreek Hill,” Griffin said.
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The Dolphins are now 0-3, and a Hill trade may or may not be on the horizon.
Griffin also brought up the fourth-quarter collapse that occurred with his former Baltimore Ravens team against the Bills, and if Lamar Jackson and company can stop those from happening towards the end of the season.
“Yeah, I just think the Ravens best players have to play their best at the end of games, everyone could see what happened. Derek Henry’s fumble was huge. If he doesn’t fumble that ball, we’re not having this conversation, because they would have been able to run the clock down. It does. Even if they get three points there, it changes the entire outlook of the entire football game.
“But the Baltimore Ravens have to stop playing with their food. I can’t say it enough. It just feels like they’re so dominant, and then they relax, and I’ve been in that locker room, so when you talk about Harbaugh, Harbaugh is not a guy that is stressing to his guys. Hey, relax. So to me, the leaders on the team have to take accountability, because they are prepared,” he said.
Aaron Rodgers is also with the Pittsburgh Steelers and despite the big Week 1 win, the team struggled a bit in Week 2. Still, Griffin believes Rodgers could have a “ride off into the sunset” moment this season.
“I was on record saying this offseason, when Aaron decided he was going to play and go to Pittsburgh, that they would be Super Bowl contenders, because Aaron Rodgers, in an off year, is still better than most quarterbacks in their best year ever, and that was the case last year.
“No one wanted to talk about it because the Jets weren’t very good, but Aaron Rodgers himself was and for him to go out and throw four touchdown passes and to win that game against his former team, I think Aaron Rodgers has to take that approach every single week,” Griffin said.
In terms of what AFC teams will still lead the way in January, Griffin believes it will be the big three in the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Ravens. However, he also believes the best team in the entire league is the Bills.
“The best team in the NFL is the Buffalo Bills, but the two next best teams, are the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens, both lost, so it’s hard to say. ‘Oh yeah, these guys, they’re trash.’ It’s been one week. Let’s give it seven to eight weeks. If the Ravens have a losing record at that point, then we can move them down the line. If the Chiefs have a losing record, we can move them down the line. But until then, it’s Josh Allen, Patrick, Mahomes and Lamar Jackson leading the way,” Griffin stated.
To see and listen to the full interview, watch the video above.
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