ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III was forced to walk back his comments on Monday Night Football. Sadly, Griffin used a racial slur in regard to African-Americans in front of millions. He later then went on Twitter and explained his intentions in detail, however, by that point, it was too late.
“People said that Jalen Hurts couldn’t get it done,” Griffin said. “He could not get a break from the pocket, he’s not the quarterback of the future—I think he proved all those jiga—s wrong.”
Yooooo, Definitely need to clarify this. THIS IS NOT WHAT I MEANT TO SAY. 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. https://t.co/Dy4vVuigin pic.twitter.com/DL0lqcz0jK
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 13, 2022
“Yooooo, Definitely need to clarify this,” he wrote on Twitter. “THIS IS NOT WHAT I MEANT TO SAY. 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.”
Initially, he was attempting to praise the Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts. Yet, he ended up overstepping while addressing Hurt’s doubters. I think it’s safe to say, mistakes definitely happen and in context, this may have been treated as a bigger deal than it really was. However, in the past, the reality is people were hurt by these comments and the slur used at the time was used to dehumanize millions of people.
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it’s defined as “an insulting and contemptuous term for a Black person.” In so many words, he should be held for his actions and choice of words, not made an example for people to see.
