Robert Griffin III apologises for using slur on ESPN

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III has apologised after using an insulting and contemptuous term for a black person on live TV.

Robert Griffin's colleagues appeared to react to the slur. Picture: ESPN

Robert Griffin III says he didn’t intend to use an anti-black slur on ESPN’s NFL broadcast on Tuesday.

While talking about Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Griffin said, “People said that Jalen Hurts couldn’t get it done, he could not break from the pocket, he’s not the quarterback of the future. I think he proved all those j***aboos wrong.”

RGIII pushing the boundaries of analysis you can get on TV pic.twitter.com/2JsxHG0p8B

— CJ Fogler AKA Perc70 #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) December 13, 2022

After facing backlash on social media, Griffin took to Twitter late Monday to apologise, adding that he meant to say “Bug-A-Boos.”

“Yooooo, Definitely need to clarify this,” Griffin tweeted, including a video of his comments. “THIS IS NOT WHAT I MEANT TO SAY. Was trying to say ‘those Bug-A-Boos’ in reference to haters and doubters. Regardless of my intention, I understand the historical context of the term that came out of my mouth and I apologise.”

The former Washington quarterback fumbled again. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Some people on Twitter expressed concern that Griffin used the derogatory term for black people “so casually”.

Griffin joined ESPN in August 2021 and is a college football and NFL analyst across a number of shows.

The Heisman Trophy winner and second-overall pick by Washington in 2012 was waived by the Ravens in January 2021, following three seasons with the organisation and a slew of injuries.

In 56 career games, Griffin threw for 9271 yards and 43 touchdowns while rushing for 1809 yards and 10 scores.

This article was originally published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission