[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 194 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ROBERT GRIFFIN III--BAYLOR HEISMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2011

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, each year the Heisman Memorial Trophy 
is presented to the ``outstanding college football player whose 
performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.'' 
The 2011 winner, Baylor University Quarterback Robert Griffin III, or 
RG3 as he's known to fans, highly deserves American collegiate 
athletics most celebrated honor.
  Robert was born in Okinawa, Japan to two U.S. Army Sergeants. They 
would eventually settle in football-mad Texas, home of the original 
Friday Night Lights, but Robert's talents could not be contained to the 
gridiron. He was a three sport star for Copperas Cove High School, 
excelling in baseball, football, and track.
  Recruiters came from across the nation to bring Robert's talents to 
their University, but he believed in the message of Head Coach Art 
Briles and followed him to Baylor, not known as a football powerhouse. 
In 2008 Robert shined, starting 11 of his 12 games and winning the Big 
12 Freshman of the Year honors. The Bears finished 4-8 but their future 
was bright.
  2010 was the breakthrough year for RG3 and the Baylor Bears. They 
fought to a 7-5 record and played in their first bowl game in over 15 
years and also ranked in the national top 25 for the first time in 30 
years. Robert dug deep inside himself and vowed to lead the Bears 
through uncharted waters--football prominence.
  The 2011 season started off with a bang. The Bears defeated #14 TCU, 
the previous year's Rose Bowl winner. Robert would command the Bears to 
a 9-3 record, their best in over 25 years, including upsets of Texas 
and, for the first time in school history, then #5 Oklahoma. Griffin 
was dangerous in the air and on his feet, passing for 3,998 yards and 
36 touchdowns while rushing for 644 yards and 9 touchdowns. He lead the 
nation with a 192.31 passing efficiency, on pace to shatter the all-
time record. The success propelled the team into a bowl for the second 
consecutive year and made Griffin the 77th Heisman Trophy winner and 
first from Baylor University.
  Robert was a leader both on and off the field. The perennial Honor 
Roll student graduated in three years with his political science degree 
and will finish his Masters in Communication next spring. He is as 
known for his faith as he is his football abilities. Upon winning the 
trophy in New York City, he and his military family immediately headed 
to the Ground Zero 9/11 memorial for some reflection. Robert never 
forgot his roots.
  Mr. Speaker, it is always refreshing to see good things happen to 
good people, and Robert Griffin III deserves all the success and more. 
I am honored to commemorate his accomplishments and proud to call him a 
Texan.
  And that's just the way it is.

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