ESPN’s Robert Griffin III Denies Dropping F-Bomb During ‘MNF’ Pregame Show

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Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III was trying to make a point countless fans have made over the years: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has gotten vanishingly little help at times from his offensive teammates.
However, he did so in a fashion that could be interpreted as colorful — depending on your audio fidelity, mood, or predisposition toward Griffin III's on-air wit.
"The real question we need to ask is, 'Is he getting enough from the guys around him on offense?' before we start talking about his contract,'" Griffin III told his fellow Monday Night Countdown panelists during a discussion before the Raiders' 17-13 win over the Packers Monday evening. "He's out there fighting for his... life, man. I don't know what more he can do."
Debate centered around what word Griffin III used to describe Jackson's life: "f---ing," or the more TV-friendly "fudging."
Griffin III denied swearing, insisting he "CLEARLY said FUDGING."
Man, a lie will get half way around the world before the truth puts its pants on.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 10, 2023
CLEARLY said FUDGING but social media gonna social media 😂 https://t.co/fTnTNSYhlM
Further thickening the plot was the fact that in every video of the incident, analyst and former defensive back Ryan Clark could be seen reacting as if Griffin III had indeed sworn.

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .