A chaotic third quarter of the VRBO Fiesta Bowl extended to events off the field after ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III received a phone call that his wife had gone into labor. He promptly exited to be with his wife.
No. 3 TCU and No. 2 Michigan combined for a CFP-record 44 points in an incredible third quarter.
TCU led 21-6 at the half and by the time the fourth quarter began, the score was 41-30 in favor of the Horned Frogs.
The third quarter featured five offensive touchdowns, three turnovers, a defensive touchdown and one baby delivery announcement.
Griffin III was a part of ESPN’s Megacast for the big game along with Cole Cubelic, Taylor Lewan and AQ Shipley.
Cubelic at first lightly ribbed Griffin III, the former Heisman Trophy-winning QB, for taking a phone call during the live broadcast. As Griffin III ended the call, he told his co-hosts he had somewhere much more important to be.
He showed great breakaway speed as he took off toward the tunnel, an ESPN cameraman gamely attempting to keep up with him.
Griffin III, 32, agreed to a multiyear contract with ESPN in 2021 after seven years in the NFL. He made no secret of his desire to keep playing when he announced his deal with ESPN.
“ESPN has been great through this whole process and understanding that I still want to play,” said Griffin at the time. “I still love the game. If that opportunity doesn’t come, I’ll be giving everything I have to ESPN and this process,” he continued. (h/t ESPN)
His lightning-quick speed shows he still has a lot of athleticism left in the tank if NFL teams are interested.
