At the NFL these days, even Jesus needs a Nike swoosh.

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, who suffered a season-threatening dislocated ankle Sunday, was forced to turn a T-shirt praising Jesus inside out before facing the public at a postgame news conference.

A sharp-eyed Washington Post reporter caught the change and posted about it on Twitter.

RGIII, before and during his press conference. Something changed! (via @JPFinlayCSN) pic.twitter.com/P2wGzZ69GN

— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) September 15, 2014

There doesn’t appear to be any anti-Christian motive at work.  The problem was apparently the company that makes the T-shirt Griffin was wearing isn’t Nike, the official garber of the NFL.

Michael Phillips, the WashPo reporter who caught the switch, explained in another pair of Twitter postings.

RGIII was wearing a t-shirt that said “Know Jesus, Know Peace.” NFL Uniform Inspector Tony McGee (former Skins DE) approached Griffin…

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) September 14, 2014

McGee told Griffin he couldn’t wear the shirt because it wasn’t a Nike product. Made him turn it inside out for the press conference.

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) September 14, 2014

So, a league that’s been battered by bad PR — the Redskins being one of the lightning rods for the left these days — sees fit to open itself up to more criticism by making one of its biggest names turn a Christian T-shirt inside out before a news conference?

The move didn’t go down well with NFL fans and Twitter users, especially since there’s a question about whether the Nike monopoly on NFL clothing applies to situations like news conferences. (Roger Goodell’s suits don’t have swooshes on them.)

Wow ! The PC police say it was the wrong brand of shirt. They made Griffin turn his Jesus t-shirt inside out… http://t.co/on3vAabvE0

— Rodger Paiz (@revrodgerp) September 16, 2014

RGIII NFL forced Griffin turn his t-shirt inside out said ‘Know Jesus, Know Peace’because it wasn’t NFL INSIDE OUT DOESN’T MAKE Nike either!

— Frank Harrell (@walkintheway) September 16, 2014

Well, the word “forced” is probably too strong. “Warned” might be a better word. And since Griffin was apparently fined $10,000 for wearing a non-
Nike shirt during a public appearance last year, he might have decided to play it safe.

Many, many people disagreed.

@RGIII if I had to wear my shirt inside out for an interview because it had Jesus’ name on it I wouldn’t do the interview.

— Crew Cohoes (@cohoescrew) September 15, 2014

So NFL player Michael Sam can kiss another man on national tv, but RGIII has to turn his shirt inside out…. pic.twitter.com/tubf7YX7Ig

— Outcastro (@ThaDopeHope) September 15, 2014

This is what is wrong with the NFL. http://t.co/yfUQW9Ulq0 — Brian Ritchie (@Barnyard668) September 16, 2014

Considering the NFL’s current travails — Ray Rice’s hitting-women problem, Adrian Peterson’s hitting-children problem, and the Redskins own name itself — a little pro-Jesus message couldn’t have hurt.

Frankly, the league should be getting a batch for every player in the league.    

Just ask Nike to make it.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Joe Saunders

Joe Saunders, a 25-year newspaper veteran, is a staff writer and editor for BizPac Review who lives in Tallahassee and covers capital and Florida politics. Email Joe at [email protected].

Latest posts by Joe Saunders (see all)

• Pelosi goes off the deep end when asked if a baby is human; ‘might be the dumbest response in history’ - October 1, 2015
• GOP congressman, whose mom died of breast cancer, explodes: ‘I’m tired of getting lectures from Democrats!’ - October 1, 2015
• Undercover sting catches Hillary worker breaking law: Hispanic voter sign-up using ‘Trump’s ‘bi**hface’ - October 1, 2015

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.