APRedskins coach Mike Shanahan is 60, which means he’s seen a lot of football, and a lot of movies.
So it’s no surprise his latest reference flew over the head of his 22-year-old quarterback.
After an amazing 311-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Cowboys, Shanahan paid Robert Griffin III one of the ultimate compliments for a man of his generation.
“You know, he’s kind of like Cool Hand Luke,” Shanahan said, via the Washington Post. “He doesn’t get too upset about anything. He just handles himself, and goes about his business, and works extremely hard to prepare for a game. And he knows how to avoid distractions, because he focuses on his job, and doesn’t seem to let anything bother him.
“And that’s why he has the success that he has, because he is very disciplined, and very determined, and he works at it.”
That’s all well and good, but when asked about the reference to the Paul Newman role, one of the best movie characters of all time, RG3 looked stumped for the first time all day.
“He must be pretty cool,” Griffin replied with a laugh when asked if he knew who that was.
He admitted moments later: “I don’t know who that is.”
Well, the movie did come out in 1967, 23 years before RG3 was even born.
Maybe someone will get him a DVD copy. And 50 hard-boiled eggs.
Channel Finder
Guarantee Cool Hand Luke is already queued into his iTunes ready for him to view while he has some down time.
Still shaking it, Boss. Still shaking it!
Rg3 MVP and ROY?
“What we have here is a failure to communicate”.
RGIII was born in 1990, so it was 23 years before he was born. I knew something was wrong because I was born in ’82 and RGIII does things that would paralyze me if I attempted them.
RG3 > Romo
Uhhh, 1967 was 23 years before Griffin was born, not 13 years.
(As he heads off to his 30th reunion…. GAAH!)
RGIII needs to see the movie to know how awesome a compliment that was!
What we have here is a failure to communicate.
Griffin did play great. But ain’t nobody ever eat 50 eggs.
where are all the haters this morning? why is it so quiet in here? oh! because eight touchdowns in five days to only one interception will shut a few people up. I hear nothing coming out of philly today, is Dallas in the house? that’s what i thought. watch out Giants because d’em skins are mad and hungry
No doubt about it, Griffin can play. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, a rifle and serious speed.
As soon as there is any sort of defense on that squad the Skins are going to put the NFC East in a choke hold.
Makes me wonder if he is going to be a 1 year wonder or if he is just getting started… If he is just getting stated then he is going to be unlike any player ever before… So much talent!
It’s very interesting to hear that RG3 is being compared to Cool Hand Luke because the movie is a modern re-telling of the story of Jesus, with Luke (Paul Newman) in the Jesus role. Whether he knew it or not, Shanahan was favorably comparing RG3 to Jesus. I’m perfectly OK with that. But where does this leave Tebow?
Man Cool Hand Luke. I feel really old now.
Where are all the Colts/Garçon haters? All we heard in preseason was how he was only good because of Peyton and he dropped more than he caught. Ok, so let’s hear it, Colts Fans…what do have to say now?
SteelerBen, appreciate the candid opinion. You’re right, a couple of peices on defense and the Redskins will be a force in the East and the NFC. As a kid I pulled for the Skins and the Steel Curtain. It would be a dream come true to see my Skins vs the Steelers in the SB.
“What he have here is a failure to communicate”.