Robert Griffin III, often referred to as RGIII or RG3, is a former American football quarterback. He gained recognition during his college football career with the Baylor Bears, where he received the Heisman Trophy in his senior year. In 2012, he was drafted by the Washington Redskins as the second overall pick. After his time with the Redskins, Griffin also played for the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. He is currently a free agent.
1950: Adrian Burk Drafted Second Overall
Adrian Burk became the first Baylor quarterback to be selected second overall in the NFL draft in 1950.
1984: Death of Robert Griffin Sr.
Robert Griffin III's paternal grandfather, Robert Griffin Sr., passed away from a brain aneurysm in 1984.
February 12, 1990: Birth of Robert Griffin III
Robert Lee Griffin III was born on February 12, 1990.
1994: Heath Shuler's Rookie Recognition
Heath Shuler, a Redskins quarterback, was honored with a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 1994.
1997: Family Settles in Copperas Cove, Texas
Robert Griffin III's family settled in Copperas Cove, Texas, in 1997 after his parents retired from the military.
1999: Redskins' First Division Title Since 1999
The Washington Redskins, led by Robert Griffin III, won their first division title since 1999.
2007: Post-Tebow Heisman and Bowl Game Appearance
Due to his Alamo Bowl appearance, Robert Griffin III became the first player since Tim Tebow in 2007 to win the Heisman Trophy and not participate in the National Championship game.
2007: Track and Field Achievements
In 2007, Robert Griffin III was rated the No. 1 high school 400-meter intermediate hurdler in the country and tied at No. 1 for the 110-meter sprint hurdler. He also received the Gatorade Texas Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year award.
2007: Leading Redskins to Playoff Appearance
Robert Griffin III played a critical role in the Washington Redskins' successful season, leading them to a 7-game winning streak and their first playoff appearance since 2007.
2007: High School Football Championship Loss
Robert Griffin III's Copperas Cove High School football team lost in the championship game of the 2007 Class 4A Division I state playoffs.
May 18, 2008: Personal Best in 400-meter Hurdles
Robert Griffin III achieved his personal best in the 400-meter hurdles on May 18, 2008, with a time of 49.22 seconds.
2008: Early Graduation and Start at Baylor
Robert Griffin III graduated high school early and began attending Baylor University in the spring of 2008.
2008: Commitment to Baylor University
Robert Griffin III, ranked highly as a dual-threat quarterback, committed to playing football for Baylor University in 2008.
2009: Meeting Rebecca Liddicoat
In 2009, Robert Griffin III began dating Rebecca Liddicoat, a fellow student at Baylor.
2009: ACL Injury
Robert Griffin III sustained an isolated tear to his ACL in the third game of the 2009 season against Northwestern State.
2009: Redshirt Status Granted
Robert Griffin III was granted redshirt status for the 2009 season after his injury, allowing him to maintain his eligibility.
December 2010: Graduation from Baylor University
Robert Griffin III graduated from Baylor University in December 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, achieving a GPA of 3.67.
2010: Return to Football as a Sophomore
Robert Griffin III returned to football as a sophomore in 2010 after being granted redshirt status due to his injury the previous year.
2011: Pursuing a Master's Degree
In 2011, Robert Griffin III began his Master's degree studies in communications.
2011: Breakthrough Season with Baylor Bears
Robert Griffin III led the Baylor Bears to an unexpectedly successful season in 2011, exceeding pre-season expectations. Griffin's performance, including a notable win against TCU, propelled him into the Heisman Trophy conversation. He led the Bears to a 10-3 record, culminating in a victory at the Alamo Bowl, the highest-scoring regulation bowl game in NCAA history. Griffin's exceptional season concluded with him winning the Heisman Trophy, a first for Baylor.
2011: Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar Award
Robert Griffin III was named an Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education in 2011.
January 11, 2012: Declaration for the NFL Draft
On January 11, 2012, Robert Griffin III formally announced his decision to enter the 2012 NFL draft.
July 18, 2012: Signing with the Washington Redskins
On July 18, 2012, Robert Griffin III officially signed with the Washington Redskins on a four-year contract worth $21.1 million, which included a $13.8 million signing bonus. Notably, he became the first player in the history of major professional sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA) to wear a Roman numeral on his jersey, following a 2012 NFL rule change permitting generational titles.
September 9, 2012: NFL Debut and Historic Accomplishments
On September 9, 2012, Robert Griffin III made history as the first NFL starting quarterback born in the 1990s. His impressive debut game against the New Orleans Saints earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week, marking the first time a rookie quarterback received this honor in their first game. Griffin continued his exceptional performance, earning NFL Rookie of the Week twice more and September's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month.
2012: Rising NFL Draft Prospect
Despite not initially being considered a first-round pick, Robert Griffin III garnered significant attention from NFL scouts and analysts throughout his junior season. By mid-season, projections placed him as a potential early first-round selection. As the season concluded, he solidified his position as the likely No. 2 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, trailing only Andrew Luck.
2012: Drafted by the Washington Redskins
In 2012, Robert Griffin III was selected second overall by the Washington Redskins in the NFL draft.
2012: NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
Robert Griffin III was awarded the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012.
2012: Redskins Acquire No. 2 Pick for Griffin III
The Washington Redskins, eager to draft Robert Griffin III, traded with the St. Louis Rams to acquire the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NFL draft. This trade involved the Redskins sending their first-round picks in 2012, 2013, and 2014, along with their second-round pick in 2012, to the Rams.
July 6, 2013: Marriage to Rebecca Liddicoat
On July 6, 2013, Robert Griffin III married Rebecca Liddicoat.
2013: Redskins' First-Round Pick Traded
As part of the trade to acquire the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Washington Redskins' first-round pick in the 2013 draft was sent to the St. Louis Rams.
2013: A Season of Mixed Results
In 2013, Robert Griffin III's season was marked by both highs and lows. He started the season after recovering from injury, but struggled to match his previous year's performance. While he led the Redskins to victory against the Chicago Bears with impressive stats, he also experienced his first scoreless game. Griffin was benched for the final three games to prevent further injury.
2013: Pro Bowl Selection and Rookie of the Year
Robert Griffin III was selected for the 2013 Pro Bowl after a remarkable rookie season but was unable to participate due to knee injuries. He received the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, the second Redskins quarterback to receive this honor since Heath Shuler in 1994.
September 14, 2014: Ankle Injury and Benching
On September 14, 2014, Robert Griffin III suffered a dislocated ankle during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite returning later in the season, he was benched in favor of Colt McCoy. After McCoy's injury, Griffin returned and finished the season with mixed results.
2014: Redskins' First-Round Pick Traded
The Washington Redskins traded their 2014 first-round pick to the St. Louis Rams as part of the deal to obtain the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, which they used to select Robert Griffin III.
September 13, 2015: Demotion and Inactivity
On September 13, 2015, Robert Griffin III found himself demoted to third on the quarterback depth chart for the Redskins, practicing as a safety. He remained inactive for the entire regular season.
2015: Birth of First Daughter
In 2015, Robert Griffin III and Rebecca Liddicoat welcomed their first child, a daughter.
2015: Marcus Mariota Breaks Perfect Passer Rating Record
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota achieved a perfect passer rating at the age of 21 years and 318 days old in his debut game in 2015, surpassing Robert Griffin III's record as the youngest player to do so.
2015: Loss of Starting Position
In 2015, Robert Griffin III lost his starting position with the Washington Redskins to Kirk Cousins.
March 7, 2016: Released by the Redskins
On March 7, 2016, Robert Griffin III was released by the Washington Redskins, marking the end of his tenure with the team that drafted him.
March 24, 2016: Signing with the Browns
On March 24, 2016, Robert Griffin III signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Browns, hoping to revive his career with a new team.
April 2016: Robert Griffin III Sells Leesburg Home and Purchases Home in Montgomery, Texas
In April 2016, Griffin sold his home in Leesburg, Virginia, for $2.7 million after playing for the Washington Redskins. He then bought a new home in Montgomery, Texas, for $2.25 million.
August 8, 2016: Named Browns Starting Quarterback
On August 8, 2016, Robert Griffin III was named the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, signaling a fresh start for him.
August 2016: Relationship with Grete Šadeiko Begins
In August 2016, Robert Griffin III and Estonian heptathlete Grete Šadeiko became romantically involved.
August 16, 2016: Separation and Divorce Proceedings
On August 16, 2016, it was reported that Robert Griffin III and Rebecca Liddicoat were separated and in the process of divorcing.
December 9, 2016: Return from Injury
On December 9, 2016, Robert Griffin III was activated from injured reserve, having recovered from a shoulder injury sustained earlier in the season.
2016: Signing with the Cleveland Browns
Robert Griffin III signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2016.
2016: First Start since 2016
In 2016, Robert Griffin III started a game for the first time since the 2016 season, due to the Ravens resting their starters after clinching a playoff spot.
March 10, 2017: Released by the Browns
On March 10, 2017, Robert Griffin III was released by the Cleveland Browns, after a challenging and injury-shortened season.
May 13, 2017: Engagement to Grete Šadeiko
On May 13, 2017, Robert Griffin III and Grete Šadeiko got engaged.
2017: Free Agency
Throughout 2017, Robert Griffin III remained a free agent, without a team.
March 10, 2018: Marriage to Grete Šadeiko
On March 10, 2018, Robert Griffin III married Grete Šadeiko.
April 4, 2018: Signing with the Ravens
On April 4, 2018, Robert Griffin III signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens, joining his third NFL team.
September 2, 2018: Named Backup Quarterback
On September 2, 2018, Robert Griffin III was named the backup quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.
2018: Joining the Baltimore Ravens
After a year as a free agent, Robert Griffin III joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2018.
March 21, 2019: Re-signing with the Ravens
On March 21, 2019, Robert Griffin III re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens, securing a two-year contract.
July 28, 2019: Fractured Thumb
On July 28, 2019, Robert Griffin III suffered a fractured thumb, sidelining him for a portion of the preseason.
September 8, 2019: Return from Injury, Historic Backfield
On September 8, 2019, Robert Griffin III returned from his thumb injury and participated in a game against the Miami Dolphins. Later in the season, he played alongside Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram II, potentially marking the first time three Heisman Trophy winners shared the backfield in NFL history.
September 2019: Birth of Third Daughter
In September 2019, Robert Griffin III and Grete Šadeiko welcomed their third daughter.
December 4, 2020: Injured Reserve and Release
On December 4, 2020, Robert Griffin III was placed on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury. He was later waived by the Ravens on January 18, 2021.
January 18, 2021: Released by the Ravens
On January 18, 2021, Robert Griffin III was waived by the Baltimore Ravens, marking his departure from the team.
August 2021: Joining ESPN
In August 2021, Robert Griffin III joined ESPN as an analyst, signing a multi-year contract to cover college football and contribute to NFL Live.
December 2022: Leaving Fiesta Bowl Broadcast
On December 31, 2022, Robert Griffin III left his broadcast role at the Fiesta Bowl after learning that Grete Šadeiko was in labor.
2022: Joining Monday Night Countdown
In 2022, Robert Griffin III joined the Monday Night Countdown team, replacing Randy Moss.
September 2023: Launching "RG3 and The Ones"
In September 2023, Robert Griffin III launched his own podcast, "RG3 and The Ones," which features interviews with people involved in the NFL.
2024: Departure from ESPN
Ahead of the 2024 season, Robert Griffin III was replaced on Monday Night Countdown and subsequently fired from ESPN.