Report: Robert Griffin III told by NFL to turn shirt with religious message inside out
By Sam Richmond
Robert Griffin III was told to turn his shirt that read “Know Jesus Know Peace” at his press conference following the Washington Redskins’ 41-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, according to Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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Griffin was seen entering the press room with the shirt, but when he hit the podium the Christian message was nowhere to be seen.
Although one could understand this if the NFL were consistent on its no-Nike product policy, this doesn’t appear to be the case.
J.P. Finlay of Comcast Sportsnet found that fellow Redskins player Ryan Kerrigan wore a non-Nike shirt to his postgame press conference and was not asked to change.
However, the Redskins are maintaining that Phillips’ account of the story is not accurate, according to Finlay.
"When reached by phone, a Redskins spokesperson indicated Robert Griffin III flipped his t-shirt inside out by choice, and was not asked to do so by an NFL representative. Due to the personal message bylaw cited above, Griffin could have faced a fine by the NFL, and chose to avoid the situation, the Redskins spokesperson indicated."
Whether the Redskins directly told RGIII to turn his shirt inside out or not, it seems clear that they had some part in his decision not to wear it.
Given Kerrigan’s shirt appeared not to be an issue, it’s fair to wonder whether Washington’s intentions here were strictly about preventing Griffin’s religious message from being seen.