Robert Griffin III, known for his often unconventional and eyebrow-raising social media posts, stirred up controversy once again over the weekend with a bizarre take on Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning’s standout performance. Griffin’s reaction to Manning’s stellar game, shared on X (formerly Twitter), quickly drew backlash, with many questioning the tone and content of his remarks.
In Saturday’s commanding win over the UTSA Roadrunners, Arch Manning stepped up in place of injured starter Quinn Ewers and delivered a spectacular showing.
Manning completed 9 of 12 passes for 223 yards and 4 touchdowns, while also showcasing his mobility with 53 rushing yards and a touchdown on three carries.
One of his runs, in particular, made highlight reels as the freshman quarterback effortlessly evaded defenders.
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However, instead of simply applauding Manning’s impressive outing, RGIII took a different approach. Hours after the game, he logged onto X and posted a tweet referencing the infamous “Racial Draft” sketch from Chappelle’s Show, stating, “The Black Delegation has drafted Arch Manning.” This attempt at humor immediately sparked a wave of backlash, particularly from within his own community.
Many felt the post was not only tone-deaf but also unnecessary, leading to a flood of negative responses. If you scroll through the replies and quote tweets, it becomes clear that Griffin’s comment didn’t land as intended.
One viral response sarcastically applauded ESPN for parting ways with Griffin earlier this year, with many others criticizing him for what they saw as an inappropriate and confusing racial remark.
Griffin’s tweet seemed to detract from the real story: Arch Manning’s dazzling performance, which had college football fans buzzing for entirely different reasons.
One of the most popular reactions to Manning’s game was the lighthearted observation that it hardly seems fair for a Manning to be this mobile. While Peyton and Eli Manning—Arch’s uncles and both Hall of Famers—are known for their immobility, Arch appears to be breaking the family mold by adding an effective running game to his already impressive passing skills.
At just 19 years old, Arch Manning came into the University of Texas as one of the most highly-touted recruits in recent memory. A five-star talent from Isidore Newman School, the same high school that produced both of his uncles, Manning entered the 2024 season as Texas’s backup quarterback behind Quinn Ewers.
Saturday’s game against UTSA marked his much-anticipated college football debut, and he certainly lived up to the hype, with fans eagerly awaiting to see how he develops over the course of the season.
While Griffin’s tweet became a talking point, it ultimately overshadowed the real story of Arch Manning’s potential rise as a college football star.
Despite the distractions, Manning’s talent on the field is undeniable, and as he continues to grow into his role at Texas, he’ll look to carve his own legacy—one that, for many, already looks promising.
