When you are one of the most galvanising sports figures in a city that has not won a league title since 1992, it is hard to stay out of the limelight.
This is especially the case when said player has a large public persona and has been coy about an ankle injury for more than a month.
Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III spoke to the reporters this week for the first time since September 15, a day after he was taken off the field with a dislocated left ankle during a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2.
He did not take any questions.
He simply read a prepared statement. It started with a quote from Winston Churchill, Britain’s great wartime prime minister of the last century.
“ ‘Courage is what it takes to stand up and do something. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen’,” Griffin said. “So, during this time, I’ve been listening, learning, growing as a player in this offence.”
Whether or not he keeps sitting, or for how long, remains uncertain.
Washington (2-5), who have stumbled to last place in the NFC East, waited until the last second to announce who will start at quarterback on Monday in a crucial division game against the surging Dallas Cowboys (6-1).
Four-year player Colt McCoy, who is in his first season with Washington, got the nod after his surprisingly effective performance last week.
McCoy replaced primary back-up Kirk Cousins after half-time, with Washington trailing 10-6 and Cousins having caused two turnovers.
On his first pass, McCoy completed a 70-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon. The former University of Texas star then led the Redskins on a game-winning drive as they beat the Tennessee Titans 19-17.
But Washington coach Jay Gruden made sure this week to get the point across that Griffin is the starter when he returns from his injury.
He used the word “starter” eight times during a 25-second answer on the topic.
Gruden is also in his first year with the franchise.
Like his predecessors, he understands that the quarterback carousel in Washington gets more rides than any other in the league.
Over the past 14 seasons, the Redskins have started 16 different quarterbacks.
After Washington chose Griffin with their first pick in the NFL draft three years ago, they thought the question mark at their quarterback position would be answered but injuries have slowed his development and bigger question marks revolve around his future.
Quarterback controversies are the norm in the US capital, and they are a big reason why the club has won just two play-off games since their fabled run to the Super Bowl title back in 1992.
agray@thenational.ae
Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
