Mike Shanahan hasn’t been the coach of Washington’s NFL franchise for four seasons now, but his departure is still the topic of debate in Washington. Much of that has to do with what the former Washington coach did with once-prized rookie Robert Griffin III, how the quarterback got injured and what Griffin had to do with Shanahan’s eventual departure from the franchise.
Earlier this week, former Washington wideout Santana Moss appeared on 106.7 The Fan in Washington and talked about Griffin III and his relationship with his head coaches.
Moss retired in 2014 but was there when the coaching change happened in D.C. and said that Griffin openly celebrated the departure of Shanahan because he wasn’t happy with his role on the team.
“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.”
Things didn’t get better for Griffin, though. And Moss said that, because “god don’t like ugly,” Griffin got what he deserved when Jay Gruden took over and started criticizing RGIII even more.
“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.’”
“So it comes back and bites you in your behind,” Moss said. “Because now you see this guy is at home. And, to be honest with you, I give it to you raw. I don’t know no other way to give it to you — raw and uncut, I always say that.”
Griffin III clearly heard about the radio appearance, and he took to Twitter on Tuesday to respond. It’s very clear who the rant is about. RGIII calls out Santana Moss directly, then talked about how he’s “been lied on a lot” over his career.
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
Griffin said he dealt with “a coach who never wanted me” and he still worked hard to get his starting job back in Washington.
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
Griffin stressed that he had been a good teammate and “a good soldier” while on the roster.
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
Finally, Griffin argued that the respect he got in Cleveland — and his role as a team captain — prove the narrative that’s formed around him from his Washington days simply isn’t true.
https://twitter.com/RGIII/status/910171984901918720
Griffin isn’t on an NFL roster this season after a terrible year in Cleveland in 2016, but it’s clear he’s still bitter about how things ended in Washington.
