Robert Griffin III built one of the NFL’s most exciting rookie seasons before a devastating injury changed everything. More than a decade later, the former quarterback is looking back at the game that altered his career and the decisions made on the sideline.
Now, many years later, Robert is telling a story about a very important game. He wants people to understand what happened when he got hurt and why he thinks his coach should have made a different choice.
Robert Griffin III questions decision to keep him on the field
Griffin recently posted an Instagram video with a caption aimed at the final game of his rookie season.
“Preparing for my Netflix documentary about why they kept running me when I had only 1 leg against Seattle in 2012,” hewrote.
The post brought fresh attention to Washington’s NFC Wild Card game against the Seattle Seahawks after the 2012 season. Griffin entered that matchup following one of the strongest rookie campaigns by a quarterback. He passed for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns in 15 regular-season games and helped Washington reach the playoffs.
Dec 29, 2019; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III (3) celebrates a touchdown in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Layton-USA TODAY Sports
The injury that changed his career began weeks before the postseason. During a Week 14 game against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 9, 2012, defensive end Haloti Ngata hit Griffin, leaving him with a Grade 1 LCL sprain. He missed the following game against the Cleveland Browns before returning for the final two regular-season contests while wearing a knee brace.
Washington still started Griffin against Seattle. Early in the game, he planted his foot while throwing on the move, aggravating the injured knee. His movement became more limited as the game continued, but he remained on the field. Rookie quarterback Kirk Cousins stayed on the sideline as head coach Mike Shanahan continued with Griffin.
Late in the fourth quarter, Washington trailed 21 to 14 when Griffin tried to recover a low snap near his own 4-yard line. As he planted his right foot, his knee buckled without contact and he collapsed on the field. He left the game with help from teammates and medical staff.
The doctors found out Griffin’s knee was badly broken inside. He eventually got better, but he was never quite as fast as he was before. Robert thinks that if the coach had let him rest that day, his football career might have lasted much longer.
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