Robert Griffin III set to join ESPN as College Football, NFL Analyst

On3 imageby:James Fletcher III08/05/21

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ESPN announced Thursday that former Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin III will be joining the network as a College Football and NFL analyst. The former Baylor quarterback will call a weekly ABC/ESPN college football game and work in studio during the College Football Playoff, Super Bowl and other major events.

“Robert has been on our radar for a while and we expect him to make an immediate impact on our college and NFL coverage,” Lee Fitting, ESPN senior vice president of production, said in a press release announcing the move. “His knowledge of the game, his fresh-off-the-field insights and his charisma make him uniquely positioned to move into this new role, and we are particularly excited to have him call a big college game every week.”

RGIII’s Resume

Griffin was a phenom on the field at Baylor. He set or tied 54 school records in three years as the starting quarterback. The dual-threat star threw for 10,366 yards with 78 touchdowns and ran for 2,254 yards and 33 touchdowns during his career. Griffin won the Heisman trophy in 2011 after leading Baylor to a 10-3 record and its first bowl win in 19 years.

“College football has always been an integral part of my life, first as a kid watching it, then as a young man playing it,” Griffin said. “Some of my greatest sports memories come from my collegiate days surrounded by the pageantry, the traditions and the passion of the fans. College football is life changing for many and I will always look back on my time playing it with tremendous gratitude.

Robert Griffin joins the ESPN football crew after seven seasons in the NFL, most recently with the Baltimore Ravens in 2020. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Washington Redskins. As a rookie, Griffin threw for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns with 815 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

Injuries cost Griffin

Injuries ultimately derailed Griffin’s promising start with Washington, but he continued to rehab and search for opportunities. While out of the league in 2017, Griffin worked with ESPN as a guest analyst on NFL Live. He returned to the NFL in 2018 as a backup on the Baltimore Ravens, where he remained through the 2020 season.

“Knowing how much the game of football helps shape lives, and understanding the aspects of the commitment it entails, is why I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join ESPN for both college and NFL programming,” said Griffin. “I look forward to being around the players, coaches and fans while providing unique insight to bring the game to life for the viewers.”

Image courtesy of Will Newton/Getty Images