Robert Griffin III is preparing to break his silence following his unexpected departure from ESPN. The former Heisman-winning quarterback took to social media on Sunday to assure fans that he will soon address the circumstances surrounding his exit from the sports network, which occurred less than a week ago. Griffin, along with fellow ESPN personality Sam Ponder, was reportedly let go as part of budget cuts, a move that surprised many in the sports community.
“As I sit here with my family on this beautiful day, we are overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support from you guys over the last past 72+ hours,” Griffin wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “YOU GUYS ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST. Your support means everything to us, and I can’t wait to connect with you all directly about everything.”
Griffin went on to announce that he will be addressing his fans more directly in the coming days. “I’ll be sitting down soon to chat with YOU, so make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, drop all your questions here and under my latest video, and I’ll be answering them soon. We’re honored that you love the way we cover sports, tell stories, and celebrate life. As a family we try to inspire people to be their best every day, but it’s YOU who inspire us to push even harder. Let’s keep this journey going together.”
RELATED: Grete Griffin Shares Supportive Message for Robert Griffin III Following His ESPN Departure
Griffin’s message, which included a link to his YouTube channel, promised that he would soon provide answers about his departure. The sudden nature of his and Ponder’s exits, especially so close to the start of the football season, left many fans and industry insiders puzzled.
Griffin joined ESPN in 2021 and quickly became a prominent voice in their sports coverage, particularly in college football. His salary was reportedly in the seven-figure range, reflecting his value to the network. However, according to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, Griffin was removed from “Monday Night Countdown” earlier this year after ESPN successfully recruited NFL player Jason Kelce.
Despite this change, it was widely expected that Griffin would continue to play a significant role in ESPN’s college football coverage. That’s why the news of his firing, along with Ponder’s, came as a shock, especially with the football season just around the corner. Some reports have suggested that the timing of their departures may be linked to ESPN’s fiscal year ending in September, as the network looks to adjust its budget.
In the midst of this upheaval, Griffin’s wife, Grete, shared her thoughts on social media, revealing that the past few days had been emotionally challenging for the family. “Despite the last 48 hours being a total whirlwind of emotions, we weren’t gonna let anything get in the way of us helping The Harold & Carole Pump Foundation raise funds and create awareness for the treatment and cure of cancer. Blessed to be a part!” Grete wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of the couple at the charity event.
While Griffin has promised to address his fans soon, Sam Ponder has yet to comment on her departure from ESPN. The uncertainty surrounding their exits adds another layer of intrigue to a career that has already seen its share of ups and downs.
Griffin’s journey has been a remarkable one. After a standout college career at Baylor, he was selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by Washington. His rookie season was a mix of brilliance and heartbreak, as he led his team to the playoffs before suffering a severe knee injury in a wild-card game. That injury would alter the trajectory of his career, which included stints with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens over eight seasons.
Now, as Griffin transitions from the football field to the world of sports media, his next steps remain uncertain. However, one thing is clear: he is not done telling his story. Fans and followers can expect to hear directly from Griffin in the near future as he opens up about his recent experiences and what the future holds for him.
