All eyes are on Robert Griffin III, even when he’s not in uniform for the Washington Redskins. He was treated to fans at Tuesday night’s Wizards game chanting “RG3.”
“It’s humbling,” Griffin said. “You never go somewhere expecting people to chant your name, or at least I never have.”
Griffin has shied away from the hype and attention since coming to town as the No. 2 pick in April and future of the franchise. Given that he just set the NFL rookie rushing record for quarterbacks and could be in the MVP conversation, it’s building with each performance.
Tuesday night might have been his finest yet, if he gets the credit for the Wizards beating the Miami Heat.
“Those guys are the ones that played,” Griffin said. “I didn’t play the game, but even coach [Mike Shanahan] said I can’t be going over there and rubbing off, using all my magic on those guys when we need it for us.”
That was just the Wizards’ second victory in the first 15 games of the NBA season. It was the first game Griffin attended at Verizon Center.
“You walk into those events, and that’s those guys’ time to shine. I was extremely proud of the way they played,” he said. “You’ve got the defending NBA champs in your house and you beat ’em. That was fun to watch.”
Griffin had a brief conversation with Heat superstar LeBron James. He also soaked up the chants, which mirrored those at FedEx Field on Monday night.
“To me it’s just humbling to have the fans, whether it’s football fans, basketball fans, chanting or cheering for you,” he said. “That just means you’re really doing something for the city.”
And then some. A representative from the Pro Football Hall of Fame was at Redskins Park on Wednesday to pick up the grass-stained jersey and cleats Griffin wore in Monday night’s victory. Griffin’s 72 rushing yards gave him 714 for the season, breaking Cam Newton’s rookie-quarterback record of 706 set last season.
Hall defiant he’ll play
Cornerback DeAngelo Hall couldn’t walk when he woke up Tuesday and needed the aid of crutches. But the expects to play Sunday against Baltimore despite a right ankle injury.
“I feel all right,” Hall said. “There’s no way I’m not playing in this game. It’s a nonstory.”
Hall was wearing a walking boot Wednesday and did not participate in practice. Shanahan called him “a little banged-up” but said he expected him to be in the lineup against the Ravens.
Given that third cornerback Cedric Griffin was suspended the final four games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, Hall’s presence is vital to the secondary.
“It’s not bad enough to keep me out, so I’ll definitely be out there Sunday. I said that when I was on crutches,” Hall said. “Just seeing some of these other guys battle through so many injuries and things like that, there’s no way I’m not going to be able to suit up and help my team win a game.”Hall said he was hurt early in Monday night’s victory over the New York Giants but didn’t worry about it because he wasn’t coming out.
“There was no way I was coming out of that game,” Hall said. “Luckily I didn’t stink it up too bad and we were still able to get the win.”
Griffin suspension fallout
One day after Griffin’s suspension was announced, the veteran cornerback’s locker was cleaned out. He’s done for the rest of the regular season, but if the Redskins were to make the playoffs, Griffin would be eligible to return.
“Well, he’s suspended for four games,” Shanahan said. “You can’t have any contact with the player; he can’t come over to the facility, so he’s gone for four games, then you make a decision afterwards if he’ll be part of your football team.”
Griffin tested positive for Adderall, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, appeared in nine games for the Redskins and made 33 tackles. His suspension is the fifth by a Redskin during the past two seasons. “Every situation’s a little bit different. Some you’re very disappointed in, others they make a bad decision for whatever reason. They don’t think before they do something,” Shanahan said. “This situation was one that I think he wish he had over again to make that decision. He’s a great kid and I love the kid, how he handles himself. He just made a bad decision.”
Extra points
• To fill Griffin’s roster spot, the Redskins elevated offensive lineman Tom Compton from the practice squad.
• Linebacker London Fletcher (ankle) and left tackle Trent Williams (thigh) did not practice, but Shanahan said he expects they’ll play Sunday.
Staff writer Rich Campbell contributed to this report.
• Stephen Whyno can be reached at swhyno@washingtontimes.com.
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