Former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III was among the latest big-name personalities to leave ESPN this month when he was fired along with former Sunday NFL Countdown host Sam Ponder.
While both Griffin and Ponder were reportedly let go due to cost-cutting measures, their departures have been referred to as firings as opposed to layoffs. On Monday, Griffin had an opportunity to speak about his time at ESPN and the departure in an interview with Jim Rome. Griffin, though, said that he wasn’t able to discuss the specific reason behind his ESPN exit.
He did still have plenty of positive things to say about his ESPN experience.
Griffin said via Awful Announcing:
“I love football, but I loved the experience I had at ESPN more than anything. Getting the opportunity to be on Monday Night Countdown with the legendary broadcast crew of Suzy Kolber, Steve Young, Booger McFarland and Adam Schefter was a dream come true. Then, to be part of the revamping of it with Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark and Marcus Spears, I just truly enjoyed those experiences.”
He continued:
“I’ll miss the people there that I got a chance to work with and I wish them the best moving forward. For me, and what the future holds, it’s just whatever God has in store for me. I’m just going to keep walking by faith and not by sight and continue to just cover the game the way I know how to cover it, with the excitement and the enthusiasm. That is just me being my true, authentic self. There is no act here. I’m just always gonna be that guy.”
We’ll have to wait and see if more information comes out about Griffin’s firing. ESPN plans to go forward with newly hired Jason Kelce in his place. Mike Greenberg will also replace Ponder as host on Sunday NFL Countdown.
