By: Flint Harris Follow Flint on Twitter, Join us on Facebook
After playing in the 2011 Baylor spring game and signing countless autographs, Robert took 15 minutes to talk with me on a hot April day. That's the kind of guy he is.
Robert Griffin III, or RG3, began classes on the Baylor campus in the spring of 2008 as an early enrollee. I began my job at Baylor as the Director of Student-Athlete Services in February of 2008. I left in June of 2010 and Robert graduated in December of 2010. For the majority of his undergraduate career, I was Robert’s academic counselor. I have been asked countless times, especially in the last month, ‘what is Robert really like’. Let me tell you.
If you are dumb enough to think that Robert is not smart because he is an African-American with dreadlocks, leave Stereotype Station and get on the Academic All-America train led by the Heisman front runner. Robert told me from the beginning of his career he wanted to be a lawyer. As an academic counselor you hear all sorts of grandiose plans and you want to let student-athletes pursue them until they make it clear one way of another if they are capable of doing it. Robert majored in Political Science like many students wanting to be a lawyer. He racked up Big Commissioner’s Honor Roll honors awards every semester in college and three trips to the Baylor Dean’s List. Yes, he is smart. He is acutely aware of issues in his field and can talk at length about topics all over the Political Science map. I have a doctorate and in some conversations with Robert, I feel undereducated.
One day a Communication’s professor, John Cunningham, suggested to Robert and I that Robert add a Communication’s minor. Robert had already taken an Interviewing class as an upper level elective (all part of Robert’s plan to improve his usable skills). Robert first wanted to know if it would add any hours to his degree. Once I discovered he could still graduate in three years flat, he was in. Robert knew he was already good in front of a camera, but five more classes to improve his communication skills and abilities just made sense. Have you seen him in an interview or on the set of College Gameday? If playing football or being a lawyer do not work out, he can move right in front of the camera to talk about the pigskin.
A minor in Communications led to a Master’s in it now. Robert is plowing through his Master’s and has discussed enrolling in law school if he stays for his redshirt senior season. With Robert, there is always a plan. A well-thought out, well-research, and well-discussed plan.
Robert’s parents are involved and have taught Robert discipline, among other attributes. Robert’s mom attends football practice almost daily and his father can been seen at many a practice too. They are never over the top or meddling in his affairs, but a consistent presence there for guidance when Robert wants it. They knew all along Robert was special.
My daughter was the only person in town that did not want her picture with Robert.
At Baylor student-athletes do not walk on campus and know they are destined for greatness. Many hope they are, but few, if any, know it. From the first time I met Robert, I knew he knew he was going to be great.
Robert walks the line of supreme confidence without arrogance better than anyone this side of Tim Tebow. Robert believes in himself and his abilities all the while being a complete team guy. Even when step backs came his way, Robert knew more was ahead of him. After his knee injury in 2009, Robert rehabbed like a mad man. After all the students and student-athletes went home for the Christmas break you would still see Robert’s car in the parking lot. It was Christmas Eve, and Robert was rehabbing because he knew. He knew what we know now.
Robert knows what his personal and the team’s success have meant to Baylor. He embraces being the face of a moderate-sized Baptist university in Waco, Texas. Many of his teammates have joked he is the ambassador for Baylor. I went with Robert one time to watch him speak to a group of grade school kids early in his career. His infectious smile and willingness to be frank with kids left them fans for life. You never had to ask Robert twice to read to kids, volunteer at the food bank, or any of the countless other projects he was and is involved with. In fact, he got teammates to join him without even asking. I remember one day Robert was on his way to volunteer. He left my office, and hoped in a car full of teammates. I texted him to find out what was going on, and he told me the guys wanted to join him down at the senior citizens home. A car load full of Baylor football players with jam packed schedules head down to the senior citizens home for some Bingo while fellow Baylor students play another game of Madden.
I have some friends that asked me for Robert’s phone number before I left Baylor because they were having a birthday party for their son and wanted Robert to come. As much as I wanted to help them out, I could not. No worries, they contacted Robert through Facebook and a couple of weeks later Robert and three of his teammates show up at the birthday party. Not a thing in it for Robert and company but a piece of birthday cake. Few people even know that story, but that’s fine with Robert. He will probably get onto me for even sharing it.
You wanted to know what Robert is like and now you have a better glimpse of RG3. He is as good as advertised. Sic ‘em Bears!
Have you seen Robert’s fiancee?
Want more about RG3, read this.
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Fantastic read Flint! Thanks! Sic’em!
I’ll proudly say I’m the mom who wanted RG3 at her son, Griffin’s {who some could say is named after #10} first birthday party. We did make contact and he generously met all my silly “mommy office” requests. He showed true selflessness as he met me for autographs, pictures and then, acting as if the first birthday party invitation was a piece of gold, he gently placed the envelope on the front seat of his car. I was instantly impressed. He was humble, kind and as he was fitting this meeting into his busy schedule, he was patient and loving with my children. The following day he showed up to celebrate at the party, with some of our favorite players, and spent several hours throwing a football on our homemade BU football field, mingling with the adults, playing with the children, photographing with each and every person interested, eating burgers and ice cream, and casually hanging out as if we were dear friends. That act of pure kindness, out of no obligation or any form of gift, apart from his greatness on the football field, will leave me one of his number one fans! From the heart of a mother, I watch him, wishing him only much and much success. Everything he has achieved and experienced has been well, well deserved. We are praying great and mighty things for him as he continues to use all that God has granted him for His glory. We are so proud of RG3! Griffin’s first birthday party photo album will forever be a treasure and I’ll forever cheer him on!
Good stuff, Flint. As much as I want either of my fellow alumns (Bama’s Richardson or Stratford’s Luck) to win the Heisman, it’s obvious that Griffin embodies every positive in the term “Student Athlete”.