Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Robert Griffin III

How Robert Griffin III built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Robert Griffin III, also known as RGIII or RG3, is a former American football quarterback. After a standout college career at Baylor, where he won the Heisman Trophy, he was drafted second overall by the Washington Redskins in 2012. Griffin played eight seasons in the NFL, experiencing early success with the Redskins before injuries impacted his career. He also played for the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1950: Drafted by the Washington Redskins

Robert Griffin III was the first Baylor quarterback to be chosen second overall since Adrian Burk in 1950.

1999: Redskins division title

In 1999, Griffin led the Washington Redskins to their first division title since 1999, earning him Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl honors.

2007: Redskins' Playoff Appearance

After starting the season 3-6, Robert Griffin III played a vital role in helping the Redskins finish the regular season on a 7-game winning streak, leading the team to its first playoff appearance since the 2007 season.

2007: Tim Tebow Heisman trophy

Due to the Alamo Bowl, Griffin became the first player since Tim Tebow in 2007 to win the Heisman and not appear in the National Championship (#1 LSU faced #2 Alabama).

2008: Started Attending Baylor University

In the spring of 2008, Robert Griffin III began attending Baylor University at the age of 17 and joined the track and field team, achieving success in the 400-meter hurdles.

2009: Second Baylor Bear Drafted

In 2009, Jason Smith was drafted, making Robert Griffin III the second Baylor Bear to be drafted that high in four years

2010: Returned as a Sophomore

In 2010, Robert Griffin III returned as a sophomore after being granted redshirt status due to an injury in the 2009 season. He finished the season with 3,501 passing yards and 22 touchdowns.

2010: Rams selected Sam Bradford

The St. Louis Rams had selected Sam Bradford to be their long-term starting quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft.

2011: Heisman Trophy Winner

In 2011, Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first player from Baylor to win the award. He led Baylor to a 10-3 record, including a win in the Alamo Bowl, finishing the season with impressive passing and rushing statistics.

January 11, 2012: Declared for the NFL Draft

On January 11, 2012, Robert Griffin III announced his intention to enter the 2012 NFL draft.

July 18, 2012: Signed Redskins Contract

On July 18, 2012, Robert Griffin III signed a four-year, $21.1 million contract with the Redskins, including a $13.8 million signing bonus.

September 9, 2012: NFL Debut and Win

On September 9, 2012, Robert Griffin III made his NFL debut as the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins, leading them to a 40-32 victory over the New Orleans Saints. He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Week for his outstanding performance.

2012: Griffin Debuts

After some controversy over whether Griffin would be ready, in 2012 he debuted in the loss to Philadelphia Eagles.

2012: NFL Draft Prospect

By the end of his junior season, Robert Griffin III had established himself as the No. 2 quarterback prospect for the 2012 NFL draft, behind Andrew Luck.

2012: Drafted by the Washington Redskins

In 2012, Robert Griffin III was drafted second overall by the Washington Redskins in the NFL draft after playing college football for the Baylor Bears.

2012: Traded to the Redskins

In 2012, the Washington Redskins acquired the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft from the St. Louis Rams by trading multiple high-value draft picks over three years.

2013: Griffin's Season and Inactivity Announcement

During the first half of the 2013 season, Griffin did not replicate his 2012 success. On December 11, 2013, head coach Mike Shanahan announced that Griffin would be inactive for the last three games of the season to eliminate risk of further injury.

2013: Traded to the Redskins

In 2013, the Washington Redskins traded multiple high-value draft picks to the St. Louis Rams for the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft.

2014: Traded to the Redskins

In 2014, the Washington Redskins traded multiple high-value draft picks to the St. Louis Rams for the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft.

September 13, 2015: Griffin Practicing as Safety

On September 13, 2015, it was reported that Robert Griffin III was practicing as a safety with the scout team. He was third on the quarterback depth chart and remained inactive for the entire regular season.

March 7, 2016: Griffin Released by Redskins

On March 7, 2016, Robert Griffin III was released by the Redskins.

March 24, 2016: Griffin Signs with Browns

On March 24, 2016, Robert Griffin III signed a two-year, $15.1 million contract with the Cleveland Browns.

August 8, 2016: Griffin Named Browns' Starting Quarterback

On August 8, 2016, Browns head coach Hue Jackson named Robert Griffin III the team's starting quarterback for the 2016 season.

December 9, 2016: Griffin Activated Off Injured Reserve

On December 9, 2016, Robert Griffin III was activated off injured reserve prior to Week 14 against the Bengals.

2016: Signed with Cleveland Browns

In 2016, Robert Griffin III signed with the Cleveland Browns, but his time there was plagued by injuries, which led to his release at the end of the season.

2016: First Start since 2016

In Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Griffin made his first start since the 2016 season because the Ravens secured the top seed in the AFC playoffs and sat their starters as a result.

March 10, 2017: Griffin Released by Browns

On March 10, 2017, Robert Griffin III was released by the Cleveland Browns.

2017: Free Agency

In 2017, Robert Griffin III remained a free agent for the entire year.

April 4, 2018: Griffin Signs with Ravens

On April 4, 2018, after being a free agent for all of 2017, Robert Griffin III signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

September 2, 2018: Griffin Named Backup Quarterback

On September 2, 2018, Robert Griffin III was named the Baltimore Ravens' backup quarterback.

2018: Joined the Baltimore Ravens

In 2018, after spending a year in free agency, Robert Griffin III joined the Baltimore Ravens and served as a backup quarterback for three seasons.

March 21, 2019: Griffin Re-Signs with Ravens

On March 21, 2019, Robert Griffin III re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens on a two-year contract.

September 8, 2019: Griffin Returns to Play

On September 8, 2019, Robert Griffin III returned in time for the regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins, completing all six pass attempts for 55 yards and one touchdown.

January 18, 2021: Griffin Waived by Ravens

On January 18, 2021, Robert Griffin III was waived by the Baltimore Ravens.

February 2021: RGIII Foundation Donation to Food Bank

In February 2021, Robert Griffin III's RGIII foundation donated 10,500 meals to the North Texas Food Bank.

August 2021: Griffin Joins ESPN as Analyst

In August 2021, Robert Griffin III signed a multi-year contract with ESPN as an analyst for their college football coverage and NFL Live.

December 2022: RGIII Foundation Shopping Spree

In December 2022, Robert Griffin III's RGIII foundation gave a one-day shopping spree at Walmart for 25 Boys & Girls Clubs members in his hometown of Copperas Cove, Texas.

2022: Griffin joins Monday Night Countdown

In 2022, Robert Griffin III joined Monday Night Countdown on ESPN to replace Randy Moss.

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September 2023: Griffin Launches Podcast Series

In September 2023, Robert Griffin III launched his own podcast series, "RG3 and The Ones," via YouTube, which is based on interviews with personnel involved with the NFL.