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This Memorial Day weekend, like any other, hits home for Robert Griffin III — but this one might be extra special.
The son of US Army veterans, the former Washington Commanders quarterback returned to the nation’s capital as part of his longtime relationship with USAA.
Griffin visited USAA’s Poppy Wall of Honor, a powerful tribute that recognizes the more than 600,000 service members who have given their lives to protect our country, each represented by a single poppy, on the National Mall.
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Robert Griffin III watches before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Cincinnati Bengals at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., Dec. 4, 2023. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)
“It’s really an opportunity to share their stories. They’ve actually enhanced the show even more this year by adding the stories of fallen soldiers, so you can walk through the show and hear those stories from their family members,” Griffin told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.
“Because in the military community, many times we feel like maybe the sacrifices are not appreciated, or maybe we forget sometimes about the things we do for this country. These people who are honored with this wall gave a lot of sacrifice. So it’s not us who feel it – it’s their families.
“Hearing those stories from families is very important and impactful, and what they want is for them not to be forgotten. So if we can continue to tell their stories and honor them and honor them, that keeps their stories alive.”
Griffin knows that many Americans will spend the long weekend barbecuing at the lake, but he urged everyone to see why they can do it in the first place.
A wall of more than 600,000 red poppies representing US service members who have died in the line of duty since World War I is displayed along the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 26, 2024. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
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“I’m not saying it’s not about that. What I’m saying is there’s a reason we’re able to do that, and it’s because of our service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Griffin said. “I just want to be here with USAA and make that known. It’s okay to have fun, but if you have some time, get together, take a moment of silence, say a prayer, share stories if you know someone who was in the military who gave a great sacrifice, so we can keep those stories alive and really know what Memorial Day is about. It’s not about us.”
Being among veterans his whole life, Griffin was able to take some lessons from those who work on the gridiron and in life.
“Yeah, it’s not two points at all. It has a lot of impact. With my parents, it was always, ‘Whatever you start, you’ll finish.’ “Yes ma’am” “no ma’am” “yes sir” “no sir” and the right behavior to get where you want to be means you will face difficulties,” he said. “When you talk about the kind of mindset you have to go through something like that – knowing you might never see your mother again, your father again, your child, your husband, your wife – it’s really amazing, and it just shows how seriously they take their service and how much they love this country.
Robert Griffin III, former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst, watches before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Cincinnati Bengals at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., on Dec. 4, 2023. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)
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“If we can apply that to everything we do in life, this country will continue to grow and continue to be as great as it has been. To me, that’s what the military is all about. They are the best of us, and these people deserve respect.”
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