Rob Parker Comments About Robert Griffin III Draw Rebuke From ESPN

Rob Parker comments that Robert Griffin III is a “cornball brother” has drawn a sharp backlash from ESPN, where the sports contributor made the controversial remarks.

Appearing on the ESPN program First Take, former Detroit News reporter Rob Parker commented that the Washington Redskins quarterback may not be staying true to his race.

“Is he a brother, or is he a cornball brother,” Parker asked. “I keep hearing these things. We all know he has a white fiancée. There was all this talk about he’s a Republican.”

Rob Parker’s comments drew and immediate reaction from Stephen A. Smith, who said: “I’m uncomfortable with where we just went.”

ESPN has now responded to the Rob Parker comments, Sports Illustrated noted.

“The comments were inappropriate and we are evaluating our next steps,” ESPN director of communications David Scott tweeted.

Parker had made his remarks in response to a USA Today story where Griffin said he didn’t want to be defined by his race.

“For me, you don’t ever want to be defined by the color of your skin,” Griffin was quoted in the article. “You want to be defined by your work ethic, the person that you are, your character, your personality. That’s what I’ve tried to go out and do.

Robert Griffin III’s father even responded to the Rob Parker comments, saying the remarks baffled him but that his son has a good sense of himself and his goals.

The Rob Parker comments were in line with other controversial remarks he has made in the past, SBNation noted. In 2008 he falsely accused Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins of being in a fight with another student, which netted Parker a two-week suspension by the Detroit News.