Advertisement

Robert Griffin III on Redskins name issue: ‘It’s just not the time’

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) looks on during mini camp on Wednesday in Ashburn, Va.
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) looks on during mini camp on Wednesday in Ashburn, Va.
(Nick Wass / Associated Press)
Share

Robert Griffin III is the face of the Washington Redskins.

The team is embroiled in a controversy over its name, which many feel is demeaning to Native Americans.

One word from the popular quarterback on either side of the topic might carry a lot of weight for a lot of Redskins fans.

Griffin was given such an opportunity during a recent interview on 106.7 FM The Fan.

Advertisement

He did not seize the moment.

Asked by hosts Chad Dukes and Lavar Arrington whether or not he feels pressure to become “the Muhammad Ali of his generation,” Griffin simply stated that now is not the time for taking a stand on the topic.

“When it comes to those conversations, it’s just not the time,” Griffin said. “And I understand, trust me, I’m African American, I’ve grown up being African American my entire life and I understand oppression and all the things that come with it. But for us, like I said, as players, we have to focus on what we can control right now, and right now that’s the football season.

“If anything to that extent came up as a player, and you had an opportunity to be the Muhammad Ali of your generation, when it comes to oppression and just things being wrong — my parents grew up in that time, I’ve heard stories about it, I’ve watched movies about it; I understand that — and if it comes to that, then you make a decision at that time, but at this time particularly, we have to focus on what we can control.”

To nitpick a bit, Griffin and his teammates actually have no control over the football season right now because it’s June. So if one was so inclined to address an issue that has become a pretty huge deal this off-season, right now would be the time.

And if anyone, other than Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, has any kind of control over the situation at all, it would seem to be Griffin. Like we said, one word from RG3 could cause the Redskins fan base to rally behind a particular side of the issue.

But for now, Griffin is content being just a football player.

Follow @chewkiii on Twitter

Advertisement