Robert Griffin III believes that sports TV shows should focus solely on sports. On Thursday, the former NFL quarterback took to X to voice his opinion, stating: “Sports shows on TV should be about sports not politics.”
Sports shows on TV should be about sports not politics.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 20, 2025
While Griffin didn’t specify his references, it’s notable that his former employer, ESPN, strayed from the “stick to sports” mantra on that same morning. During a segment about Duke’s Cooper Flagg on First Take, analyst Jay Williams expressed his belief that Flagg could rally the “America first” crowd. Shortly after, Stephen A. Smith challenged Donald Trump to a debate regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) following an article’s temporary deactivation about Jackie Robinson’s military career.
Smith asserted, “Nobody is calling out the President, Donald Trump. I will. I’m not gonna call him names like stupid folks on the left. Engaging in incendiary rhetoric is unnecessary, immature, and uncalled for. He’s the President of the United States. Treat him with the respect he deserves, but also hold him accountable for his actions.” He went on to question the administration’s approach to DEI, highlighting the qualifications of Pete Hegseth, head of the Defense Department.
Given the timing of Williams and Smith’s comments, one might assume Griffin’s post referenced at least one of these segments. While the role of politics in sports programming can be debated, both discussions were directly linked to sports—particularly Smith’s.
Additionally, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner often engages in political discourse on his social media, seemingly to boost engagement. However, Griffin specifically pointed to “TV shows” and might argue that people tune in for particular reasons. That said, it’s unclear how many followers seek political discussions from him, even if he brands it a “safe space.”
