Robert Griffin III biography

Synopsis

Robert Griffin III was born on February 12, 1990, in Okinawa, Japan. A burgeoning world-class hurdler before focusing full-time on football, "RG3" won the 2011 Heisman Trophy as the nation's top collegiate player. Selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, he quickly emerged as one of pro football's most exciting and popular players.

Early Life

Robert Griffin III was born on February 12, 1990, at the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. The son of army sergeants, he also lived in Fort Lewis, Washington and New Orleans before the Griffins settled in Copperas Cove, Texas.

Griffin attended Copperas Cove High School, where he displayed immense promise for both the football and track and field programs. As a junior, he established Texas state records in the 110-meter hurdles (13.55 seconds) and 300-meter hurdles (35.33), and was named the 2006-07 Gatorade Texas Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year.

As a senior quarterback, Griffin threw for 1,356 yards and 16 touchdowns, and rushed for another 1,285 yards and 24 touchdowns. He lead Copperas Cove to a 13–2 record and an appearance in the Class 4A Division I state championship game.

Griffin committed to play for the University of Houston's Art Briles, one of the few college coaches who wanted to keep him at the quarterback position. When Briles was tapped to lead the Baylor University football program, Griffin decided to enroll at Baylor before graduating Copperas Cove High School a semester early.

A Legend Is Born

Griffin starred for the Baylor track and field squad during the 2008 spring semester, earning All-American honors after winning the Big 12 Conference championship in the 400-meter hurdles (49.22 seconds). He placed 11th in the 400-meter hurdles (49.38 seconds) at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials that summer, but soon gave up competitive running in order to concentrate on football full time.

Griffin jolted the struggling football team by passing for 2091 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushing for another 843 yards and 13 scores as a freshman. He missed most of the 2009 season with a torn ACL, but returned in 2010 to deliver a combined 4,136 passing and rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.

The 2011 season marked the emergence of "RG3" in the national spotlight. With his powerful arm and ability to outrun any defender, he lead Baylor to a record-tying 10 wins and a No. 13 ranking in the final AP Poll. Griffin finished with 4,293 passing yards and 37 touchdowns against just six interceptions, and ran for another 699 yards and 10 touchdowns, overwhelming numbers that earned him the Heisman Memorial Trophy as college football's top player.

Griffin graduated in December 2011, once again a semester early, with a degree in political science. He was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.

Redskins Savior

Griffin starred for the Baylor track and field squad during the 2008 spring semester, earning All-American honors after winning the Big 12 Conference championship in the 400-meter hurdles (49.22 seconds). He placed 11th in the 400-meter hurdles (49.38 seconds) at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials that summer, but soon gave up competitive running in order to concentrate on football full time.

Griffin jolted the struggling football team by passing for 2091 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushing for another 843 yards and 13 scores as a freshman. He missed most of the 2009 season with a torn ACL, but returned in 2010 to deliver a combined 4,136 passing and rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.

The 2011 season marked the emergence of "RG3" in the national spotlight. With his powerful arm and ability to outrun any defender, he lead Baylor to a record-tying 10 wins and a No. 13 ranking in the final AP Poll. Griffin finished with 4,293 passing yards and 37 touchdowns against just six interceptions, and ran for another 699 yards and 10 touchdowns, overwhelming numbers that earned him the Heisman Memorial Trophy as college football's top player.

Griffin graduated in December 2011, once again a semester early, with a degree in political science. He was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.