The NFL has a new wave of dual-threat quarterbacks, and RG3 should get his flowers for playing a pivotal role in so-called running quarterbacks who are trusted to lead NFL teams as rookies.
A Heisman Trophy winner at Baylor, Griffin III played seven seasons for the Redskins, Ravens and Browns. He threw for 9,271 yards and 43 touchdowns, was selected to play in 1 Pro Bowl, and won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Now retired, Griffin III spoke with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson about many topics, including how his dad forced him to watch a film about former NFL great Randall Cunningham.
“My dad made me study Randall Cunningham,” he said.
“So I got a lot of respect for Randall Cunningham and he knows that; when I did that special in Philadelphia with Jalen and Donovan and the guys, that was inspired by Randall Cunningham because we want to show him the love he deserves.”
Cunningham should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the honor wouldn’t be based on stats but on the overall evolution of football.
Cunningham spent his first 11 seasons with the Eagles, helping pave the way for how the quarterback position is played today. A second-round pick out of UNLV in 1985, Cunningham finished his Eagles career with under 30,000 passing yards and just under 5,000 rushing yards while compiling an 82-52-1 record in 135 starts with Philadelphia. Cunningham logged 29,979 career passing yards and ran for 4,928 in 162 games. He retired as the NFL all-time leader in rushing yards for a quarterback. He still ranks in the top 25 in league history for passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. Cunningham was a four-time Pro Bowler in 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1998.
You can see Griffin III’s comments in the video below.