Former NFL quarterback turned ESPN NFL analyst Robert Griffin III posted a family photo to commemorate his holiday experience, but it came with a controversial caption.
“MERRY CHRISTMAS from this interracial and international Family,” RGIII posted on Twitter. On the surface, Griffin launches a statement of intentional inclusion or perhaps the promise of what it looks like to have a uniquely blended family in America celebrating in harmony.
Unfortunately for Griffin, the alternate opinion is that he is “extra” and by overstating the obvious, that his family is racially and internationally diverse, it denotes an obnoxious meet-post-racist-society mentality. Quickly, Griffin was called out by Twitter users who considered his post offensive.
MERRY CHRISTMAS from this interracial and international Family pic.twitter.com/skLsS3vhoh
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 25, 2022
Robert “Extra” Griffin
“Could’ve just said “family” lmao didn’t have to be so extra,” Twitter user @duncbaii posted in response.
“Backwards. In the UK we wouldn’t comment on skin colour. Because they are all human. America truly is racist,” @scwirel posted in response.
“You did not have to say “interracial”, bro…stop being weird,” Twitter user @tehimself responded.
Could’ve just said “family” lmao didn’t have to be so extra
— Darren (@duncbaii) December 25, 2022
Griffin has a history of questionable decisions with stereotypical implications. During Week 14 of Monday Night Football Countdown, the ESPN football analyst had a verbal faux pas during the New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals game when he slipped and said “jigaboos.” While discussing NFL quarterback Jalen Hurts during the Philadelphia Eagles league-leading season, Griffin tried to end his point on a high note but bumbled on a low point in the commentary.
“People said that Jalen Hurts couldn’t get it done,” Griffin said. “He could not break from the pocket. He’s not the quarterback of the future. I think he proved all those j*******s wrong.”
He was called out on Twitter for the “mistake” and eventually issued an apology on the social media platform.
Backwards. In the UK we wouldn’t comment on skin colour. Because they are all human. America truly is racist.
— Scwirel (@scwirel) December 26, 2022
“Yooooo, Definitely need to clarify this. THIS IS NOT WHAT I MEANT TO SAY,” Griffin tweeted. “Was trying to say “those Bug-A-Boos” in reference to haters and doubters. Regardless of my intention, I understand the historical context of the term that came out of my mouth and I apologize.”
Griffin has brought his unconventional commentary style to prime time and in his quest to gain traction and relevance has shown more of his cultural ignorance. It is not the first time. During a November episode of “Monday Night Football Countdown” from Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, Robert Griffin III joined his fellow analysts Steve Young and Booger McFarland in eating a plate of fried chicken live on air.
It was so alarming that even his wife, Grete Griffin, aka the interracial and international element of his family, watched the telecast and tweeted her surprise at her husband’s actions.
“Are you eating chicken on live TV?” Greta Griffin tweeted with crying, laughing emojis during the Eagles’ first-season loss to the Washington Commanders game. RGIII replied to the 29-year-old fitness instructor, simply tweeting “Yep” with three crying emojis.
You did not have to say “interracial”, bro…stop being weird.
— TeHimself 💙 (@tehimself) December 26, 2022
Cancel Or Nuture?
RGIII is long overdue for racial sensitivity training or a culturally conscious overhaul to be such a repeat offender. In the words of Charlie Murphy during “Chappelle’s Show,” his questionable tweeting, stereotypical and insensitive moments on national television, and lack of judgment make him a “habitual line stepper.”
Now, will the culture cancel him or give him room to grow?
