Washington has raised the prospect of a showdown with the NFL and local media after they banned Robert Griffin III from talking to reporters, in the wake of his “best quarterback in the league” claim that had social media in a frenzy.
The team said they would be shutting off access to Griffin “for a while”, according to the New York Post’s Bart Hubbuch. There was no official comment from the team.
The Redskins are shutting off RG3's non-gameday access "for a while" after his boast controversy. I hope the NFL and local media intervene.
— Bart Hubbuch (@BartHubbuch) August 18, 2015
The ban follows Griffin’s comments over the weekend, when he claimed in a candid interview with Washington TV station WJLA-TV: “I feel like I’m the best quarterback in the league.” The comments led to derision in the press and social media, from those who view Griffin as a talented but brittle quarterback who has failed to show his best form after a dream rookie season.
Griffin said: “I don’t feel like I have to come out here and show anybody anything or why I’m better than this guy, or better than that guy. It’s more about going out and affirming that for me, I go out and I play, I know I’m the best quarterback on this team. I feel like I’m the best quarterback in the league and I have to go out and show that.
“There’s guys in this league that have done way more than me. But I still view myself as the best because that’s what I work toward every single day.”
In reality, Griffin’s quote was more nuanced than headlines suggested, and he acknowleged it was more of a nod to his competitive nature than reality. But that didn’t stop the swirl of criticism.
Hubbuch was not impressed with the ban.
Grown man RG3 incapable of dealing on his own with other grown people possessing notebooks and microphones, per the Redskins.
— Bart Hubbuch (@BartHubbuch) August 18, 2015
Griffin won the 2011 Heisman Trophy after starring for Baylor University in NCAA, and was drafted second overall by Washington in 2012, but has struggled with knee and ankle injuries the past two seasons. He started just seven games last year as the team finished 4–12, and last place in their division.
