Robert Griffin III’s tell-all book sharing his experiences from playing with the Washington Commanders (then-Redskins) appears to be dead.
On Thursday, The Sports Junkies‘ Eric Bickel reported that Griffin’s book, Surviving Washington, is no longer happening. The former Washington quarterback, who played for the team from 2012 through 2014, had all but confirmed it by deleting all references to the book from his social media accounts. He originally announced the book on Twitter, promoting it with “The truth will set you free.”
Bickel took the opportunity to remind his co-hosts and the audience that he predicted the book would never be published. (It was previously scheduled for an August 2022 release.)
“This is my victory lap. I’m just gonna bow,” said Bickel. “I told ya that book was never coming out. He’s deleted all the tweets. Gary Myers said the book’s not coming out, ‘not with me.’ The Simon & Schuster link, the pre-link that he was pimping, that’s a dead link. I want praise! I told you this wasn’t happening!”
Likely in response, Griffin officially confirmed his book wasn’t being published through a statement from his broadcasting agent on Friday (via Pro Football Talk).
“Through the process of thinking about writing a book, I’ve learned that this is an issue bigger than one person,” Griffin said. “I want to give space to and elevate those who have already come forward, while encouraging those who have not yet to feel empowered to speak. This is a matter that very qualified people are continuing to manage with sensitivity and seriousness, and ultimately, I learned that this book was not the proper forum for this.”
Griffin went on to say that he hopes he’s still somehow able to tell his story, which he promised would include details of “the medical mismanagement that I received during my time in Washington” and the power struggle between coaches (presumably Mike Shanahan) and team owner Daniel Snyder.
The more conspiracy-minded believe that Snyder might be the exact reason why Griffin’s book isn’t being published. If the NFL isn’t willing to reveal details of the investigation into sexual misconduct allegations in the Washington organization, how would the league feel about Griffin’s possible account? Is it possible the NFL pressured ESPN, which employs Griffin as an analyst, to encourage Griffin to let the book go?
Or is this more about Griffin getting in over his head with potential legal issues that he and his publisher may not have anticipated when the project was first announced? A book provoking a potential lawsuit probably isn’t what either Griffin or Simon & Schuster would like.
Whatever the reason, Bickel took his victory lap on the air Thursday, reminding everyone listening that he told them so about Griffin’s book.
Ian Casselberry is a sports media columnist for BSM. He has previously written and edited for Awful Announcing, The Comeback, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, MLive, Bleacher Report, and SB Nation. You can find him on Twitter @iancass or reach him by email at iancass@gmail.com.
