The NFL career of Robert Griffin III never got on track the way it was expected to in Washington, but the former franchise quarterback does not appreciate a former teammate spreading what he calls lies about his relationship between him and his former coach during his time in DC.
Santana Moss hopped on 106.7 The Fan to recall the last days of the Mike Shanahan era with the Redskins and the early days of Jay Gruden’s tenure as head coach, suggesting Shanahan and his son/offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan were released from their duties by owner Dan Snyder because they didn’t know how to use Griffin correctly. That may be true, but Moss suggested Griffin was happy to see the Shanahans booted from the team even though Gruden was not any easier on him. As Moss told it, Griffin was just so happy to see Shanahan and his son fired that he was willing to put up with increased pressure from Gruden.
From CBS DC;
“You can’t do that,” Moss said. “One thing I’ll just share with you: God don’t like ugly. So the little credit that he did take for saying that, ‘Hey, they didn’t like what I was doing,’ or ‘they benched me and not allowing me to play,’ that’s what happens.”
“So 2014 comes, and Jay Gruden comes in, and he don’t care,” Moss continued. “We see that now. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t care what he says about you, he doesn’t care what he says at you.
“And he rips RG every chance he gets, like every meeting, and we’re sitting there looking like, ‘Yeah. You know what? You were just so happy that Mike and Kyle and them is gone, but now you’re getting your behind ripped every day, because you’re not playing the kind of football that we need to play for us to be successful.’”
Oh, don’t think for one hot second that Griffin was not made aware of these comments. He most certainly was aware of his former teammate’s comments and took to Twitter for a fun rant this morning on his account.
No subtweeting needed
Santana Moss, I treat you like a brother & have always had your back. To openly lie about me is a betrayal…..— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 19, 2017
Been lied on a lot over the years
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 19, 2017
Put in an impossible situation w/ a coach who never wanted me. Made players like Santana Moss a believer through hard work, film study…
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 19, 2017
Showing up early, leaving late, putting in the extra hours, staying after practice & getting extra work in. We won the division that year.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 19, 2017
Next year coach wants out, says he wants out, says he never wanted me as his QB & I GET BLAMED? C'mon man. I have been the good soldier.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 19, 2017
Some so desperately want me to fit this negative narrative that has been pushed about me. But I don't fit it. Never have. Never will.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 19, 2017
http://twitter.com/RGIII/status/910171984901918720
My quick reaction?
Griffin, as most players would probably agree, being called a bad teammate who is self-centered is not something one will take lightly. Clearly, Griffin did not appreciate Moss painting that image of him, even if that image had been painted before over the years. We’ll just have to wait and see if there is a response from Moss now that he has been called a liar.
