Beyond the Boxscore
Robert Griffin III goes bodyguard crazy, scores 67 — and still stands tall asclassiest Heisman winner ever
On a night when his team drops 67 points on Washington, Robert Griffin III's most impressive play of the game comes on a block. It's a play that easily could be lost in the blur of touchdowns that mark this record-setting, wildly-entertaining Alamo Bowl, but it's one that says plenty about college football's best player.
RG3 is always going to make you feel good about the game in the end.
Griffin III says some crazy, off-the-wall stuff in the buildup to Baylor 67, Washington 56. He claims he needs his own bodyguards — which forces Baylor officials to come out and say that's not actually true, the school is not paying for a private security force to shadow its quarterback. Griffin III tells the ESPN commentators calling the game the clamor for his autograph is so great that he's had kids pretend to be in a wheelchair to secure his signature, only to pop up and start walking when they land the desired paper.
OK . . .
That's how it goes with college football these days. When Robert Griffin III steps on the field, everything suddenly seems right in a sport where so much is wrong.
But just when you think RG3's gone over the edge with the self grandeur, there he is when the game actually starts . . . racing more than 30 yards downfield to block for Jarred Salubi. That touchdown, with Griffin III almost outrunning his own tailback from behind, blocking every step of the way, makes it 14-7. The night's just getting started in San Antonio, but the classiest Heisman Trophy winner already has a signature play.
One that has little to do with self glory.
That's how it goes with college football these days. When Robert Griffin III steps on the field, everything suddenly seems right in a sport where so much is wrong.
It's no coincidence that the bowl season doesn't seem to matter until RG3 plays, until Baylor 67, Washington 56 is causing casual fans who clicked on the game to do a joyful double take. One hundred and twenty three points in a college football game, an all-time bowl record 17 touchdowns scored?
Yeah, America will take that. Bowl season's really started now.
"67-56," Griffin III tells the ESPN cameras afterwards. "This has to be one of the most watched TV games of all time."
OK, RG3's getting a little carried away again. But why call him on semantics? You don't force an artist to describe every detail. And in way, Griffin III's right. This will be a game that everyone who missed it will wished they watched — that many who didn't will claim they did.
Baylor 67, Washington 56 is that good. And it's not because Huskies sophomore quarterback Keith Price puts on a highlight show worthy of RG3 in his seven touchdown night. And it's not because Baylor (10-3) wins its first bowl game in 19 years. It's not even because the oft-dissed school from Waco comes from 18 points down in the second half to stake a claim to a spot in the Top 10.
No, this is a Griffin III thing.
It's having a player on the field who no one can take their eyes off even on a night when one of his teammates runs for five touchdowns and the opposing quarterback goes beserk. Washington puts up 56 points and still can't come within single digits of RG3. Think about that for a moment.
Griffin III collapses onto the Alamodome turf to do just that when the fireworks are finally over. The first thing he says when he pops up? He thanks the Bears' offensive line, the guys who clear the way (when RG3 isn't blocking too) for three 100 yard rushers — none who are named Griffin.
No matter what crazy things Griffin III says about his own fame, it's impossible to be offended by the guy. He just gets it.
The Heisman Trophy's lost plenty of luster in the last 20 years — from Reggie Bush being forced to give his back to Chris Weinke and Eric Crouch winning one in the first place. College football's grand award just isn't what it used to be.
But the 77th winner of that cast bronze trophy is restoring some of its luster.
Griffin III breaks out those Superman socks at the ceremony, keeps an often mind-numbingly stiff awards show interesting. He visits Ground Zero immediately after winning, spurred by the example of his mom and dad (who are both retired from the military and are now ESPN crowd-shot favorites). He doesn't try to make the Alamo Bowl all about him, even though everyone wants to hear from him rather than five-touchdown man Terrance Ganaway afterwards.
Real star power transcends even stats and Griffin III never shows it more than on a night when everyone else scores the touchdowns. There's a reason Griffin III is able to be a natural on David Letterman and to get Baylor president Ken Starr (no one's definition of a wild and crazy guy) to start using expressions like "unbelievably believable."
Griffin III will be in the NFL by this spring, but before he goes, he's rubbed plenty of class into that Heisman Trophy, making the old thing look better than it has in decades.
