ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III went viral after using a racial slur on live television when speaking of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts ahead of Monday Night Football.
Griffin, 32, was praising Hurts on “Monday Night Countdown” prior to the New England Patriots defeating the Arizona Cardinals.
He had a message for critics of Hurts, finishing his statement by saying the Eagles QB “proved all those jigaboos wrong.”
“People said that Jalen Hurts couldn’t get it done, he could not break from the pocket, he’s not the quarterback of the future,” Griffin said. “I think he proved all those jigaboos wrong.”
“Jigaboos” is a derogatory term used against Black people that can be traced back all the way to slavery.
Robert Griffin III apologizes for racial slur
Griffin took to Twitter on Tuesday to explain that he did not mean to say “jigaboos” and was instead trying to say “Bug-A-Boos.”
“Yooooo, Definitely need to clarify this,” Griffin wrote. “THIS IS NOT WHAT I MEANT TO SAY. Was trying to say “those Bug-A-Boos” in reference to haters and doubters. Regardless of my intention, I understand the historical context of the term that came out of my mouth and I apologize.”
“Bug-A-Boos” is in reference to “an annoying, stalkerish person who won’t leave you alone,” according to Urban Dictionary.
Griffin, a former Heisman winner, played quarterback in the NFL for seven seasons.