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Robert Griffin III doesn’t like running quarterback stereotypes

Redskins Football

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, right, prepares to throw a pass during NFL football practice in Ashburn, Va., Thursday, June 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

AP

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III has been praised for his arm during Organized Team Activities, and Griffin wants to keep it that way.

Although Griffin was a track star early in his college career, and although he ran for 33 touchdowns at Baylor, he hates the idea that people would consider him a runner first and a passer second.

I don’t want people to think I’m just an option quarterback,” Griffin said. “It’s not something you can prove, I don’t think. Perception is reality so it doesn’t matter how many yards you throw for, what you do in practice or what you do in the games. If you can run a little bit you’ll always be smacked with that stereotype.”

There’s never been an athlete quite like Griffin -- a hurdler good enough that he could have been an Olympian if he hadn’t turned his attention to football -- at the quarterback position. But that doesn’t mean Griffin is an athlete before he’s a quarterback. Griffin wants to be known as a passer who just happens to be a fast runner, when he needs to be.