Robert Griffin III, who was fined by the Nike-sponsored NFL last season for wearing Adidas during a post-game press conference, was pinched for $10,000 by the league for wearing unauthorized apparel before Monday night’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a league official confirmed Thursday.
A T-shirt bearing the words “Operation Patience” on it, worn before the game in which he did not play, did not conform with the NFL’s uniform rules – thus the fine, however petty.
Griffin, coming off a torn ACL, practiced with and against the first team Wednesday–his first full practice since last season. Griffin took 49 snaps against the scout team defense last week.
“I’m getting the team reps, and that’s what I wanted, and that’s what the team needed me to be out there doing,” said Griffin, who has yet to play in the preseason and remains in question for the team’s regular-season opener. “I feel good. I am confident coach (Mike Shanahan) easing me in has helped, and giving me the extra reps has helped now. My eyes are set on Philly.”
After an examination before the Redskins played Pittsburgh, Griffin said Dr. James Andrews told him that his leg looked strong and his movement was good. Andrews’ message: Stay the course.
