WASHINGTON — Robert Griffin III made his first public comments since losing his job to Kirk Cousins, but didn’t address the Redskins’ starting quarterback situation.
Griffin spoke at a team awards luncheon attended by roughly 500 guests on Wednesday. He was honored by the Redskins for his community work with military families.
Citing his own childhood in an Army household, Griffin in his acceptance speech pledged to continue his volunteer work.
“In the military, the one thing you have is your word,” Griffin said. “When you give your word to somebody, that means you’re going to follow through. And I give my word to my family, to the Washington Redskins, to my teammates and the military that I’ll always be there for them.”
Redskins coach Jay Gruden chose Cousins as the starter on Monday following Cousins’ strong performance in Saturday’s preseason victory against Baltimore.
Griffin, originally chosen the starter last winter, was ruled out of that game while in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Cousins and Griffin entered the luncheon side by side during team introductions. Griffin received a standing ovation upon taking the podium.
“It’s an honor to be in this position, to have this platform to be able to give back in a positive way,” Griffin said. “I’m blessed to have a lot of teammates that have led me in the right direction to be able to use my platform for positive things.”
Team owner Daniel Snyder also spoke, praising the work of first-year GM Scot McCloughan. Snyder hired McCloughan in early January, less than two weeks after the end of Washington’s 4-12 season in 2014.
“He bleeds burgundy and gold,” Snyder said. “He has really been working tirelessly since he got here, and I really believe he has put together a fantastic team.”
Former Bears LB Briggs says he plans to retire
CHICAGO — Lance Briggs, a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker who helped the Chicago Bears reach the Super Bowl, plans to retire.
Briggs said Wednesday during CSN Chicago’s broadcast of the Cubs’ game against the Reds at Wrigley Field that he is ready to call it a career.
He said he plans to submit his retirement papers soon, although he did not completely shut the door on playing again for the right offer.
A third-round pick out of Arizona in 2003, Briggs played 12 seasons for Chicago and made seven consecutive Pro Bowls. Along with Brian Urlacher, he led a defense that consistently ranked among the league’s best in his prime and helped the 2006 team reach the Super Bowl.
Pryor down to last chance to impress Browns
CLEVELAND — Terrelle Pryor may be down to his last chance to make Cleveland’s roster.
The former Raiders quarterback trying to switch to wide receiver and prolong his NFL career is expected to finally take the field in an exhibition game on Thursday night when the Browns visit the Chicago Bears. Pryor has been slowed by a hamstring injury for nearly a month, keeping him on the sideline and unable to convince Cleveland’s coaches he’s worth keeping.
Pryor says he doesn’t want to be handed anything, and intends to prove he belongs. Browns coach Mike Pettine has said Pryor’s place on the team has not been guaranteed and the Browns are eager to see the gifted 6-foot-4, 225-pounder in action.
Pryor says he doesn’t have his usual burst off the line and may have to “play on a leg and a half.”
