Former Baylor University quarterback Robert Griffin III (nicknamed RG III) underwent successful surgery Wednesday for the knee injuries he suffered in Sunday's game.
James Andrews, generally considered the top sports surgeon of his generation, proclaimed the surgery successful today and predicted there is a good chance the former Heisman Trophy winner for Baylor could be on the field for the 2013 NFL season.
Griffin re-injured his knee when he attempted to bend down and pick up a low snap of the football off the ground on Fedex Field in Washington D.C. last Sunday during the game between the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks.
Dr. Andrews said the surgery was done to repair tears to the lateral collateral ligament and the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee.
RG III first suffered a lateral collateral ligament tear during his 2009 season at Baylor University in a game against Northwestern State.
Griffin, who is the son of parents who were both in the military, has shown remarkable courage in overcoming his painful injuries.
He successfully rehabilitated his injured knee after the 2009 season at Baylor and bounced back to win the Heisman Trophy following the 201l season after leading Art Briles' team to a 10-win season and victory in the Alamo Bowl against Washington.
The talented Griffin is reported to have blazing 4.3 second speed in the 40-yard dash which is Olympic level. In fact he won the Big 12 high hurdles championship as a freshman at Baylor and was deemed fast enough to be a serious contender for the Olympics.
Griffin injured his knee against the Baltimore Ravens a few weeks ago. That was diagnosed as a sprain. After missing one complete game, he bravely returned to lead his team to enough victories to qualify for the playoffs.
But in this past Sunday's game in Seattle, he was obviously hurting on the field after throwing two touchdown passes to lead his team to a 14-0 lead.
He courageously continued playing despite it being obvious to everyone in the stadium and in the television audience that he was in considerable pain and badly injured.
He appeared unable to follow through as he normally does on his passes because of his injured knee which was covered by a brace for Sunday's game. The brace proved to be insufficient protection for his already injured knee.
After being knocked to the ground on several plays, he struggled to his feet and continued playing despite the loss of his normal speed and mobility. He could no longer evade tacklers, and yet he showed remarkable determination by continuing to play against all odds.
It was in the fourth quarter that his knee finally gave out and the energy was sucked out of the stadium in Washington by the sight of Griffin lying facing down, unable to move on the football field.
It was only after some time had passed that trainers were able to help the injured quarterback to his feet and help him off the field.
"I'll see you next year," Griffin said afterward.
All his Baylor Bear and Washington Redskin followers hope that is true.
Griffin led Baylor to its first victory against powerhouse Oklahoma University in history in 2011 . He also quarterbacked the Bears to two victories against the University of Texas after recovering from his first knee injury in 2010 and 2011.
Baylor coach Art Briles said he knew that Robert's future is bright following the surgery because he knows him so well. Saying he knew his heart and his mind, Briles predicted things would be okay for his former star.
It was Briles who recruited the future Heisman Trophy winner and All-American to play for the Baylor Bears in Waco , Texas ,out of Copperas Cove High School, also in Texas, where Griffin led his team to a Texas state championship.
Griffin was reportedly also offered a scholarship to Stanford University where he would have played with Andrew Luck, who finished second to RG III in the Heisman balloting last year.
Briles impressed both Griffin and his parents by taking the time to show him game films during his recruiting trip and explaining his philosophy of football.
Griffin has given credit to his dad for being a great mentor to him growing up.
"He taught all the little details of the game of football when I was a kid. Things like waiting until the third bounce before trying to pick up a loose football on the ground."
A dedicated Christian, Griffin still points to heaven giving God credit for his achievements.
In a tweet this week he said he loved God, his family and his team.
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