Robert Griffin III bristled Wednesday, telling anyone questioning his father's visit to the Washington Redskins locker room after Monday night's 27-6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers to "back up."Robert Griffin III's play has been an issue as has been his relationship with teammates. (Photo: Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports)
It is one thing to give Griffin the third degree about his disappointing play or his relationship with his offensive linemen during this disappointing 3-8 season.
But the quarterback drew the line when some questioned whether his father belonged in the locker room.
Griffin said that after he had been sacked four times, taken seven additional hits and, in particular, an inadvertent kick to the groin by 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith, his father came in "to make sure I wasn't injured. My mom was upset.''
When asked if he was surprised to see his dad in the locker room, Griffin grew agitated.
"Yeah, I was little shocked that he was there. But he meant no harm,'' Griffin said. "And anybody out there that's going after my dad needs to back up. That is my father. I will protect my family."
Griffin said he didn't know exactly what was being said about his father's locker room visit, but he surmised it wasn't all positive.
"I had just taken a couple of shots. Obviously, I got kicked in the gonads," he said. "He wanted to see if I was OK there."
So will there be a Robert Griffin IV, the quarterback was asked?
"There will be a Griffin IV,'' he said, laughing.
It was a moment of comic relief during a session when Griffin was grilled about his relationship with his offensive linemen. Some analysts counted how few times teammates have picked up their quarterback up after a hit, deducing his blockers don't like Griffin.
SOURCE: Jim Corbett
USA TODAY Sports
USA TODAY Sports
Comments