LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Robert Griffin III's concussion was on everyone's mind as he dropped back on a third-and-6, with the Washington Redskins trying to put the game away.
"I took off running and got to the sideline, thought about running out of bounds — because everyone's been telling me that lately," he said with a big smile. "And I felt like I had the guy outflanked, and then I just took off running. And the rest is history."
Not only did his 76-yard touchdown run put the game away, it also dismissed any thoughts that his first serious shot to the head as a pro was going to stop RG3 from being RG3.
The longest scoring run by an NFL quarterback in 16 years was part of his 138-yard rushing performance in the Redskins' 38-26 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
"When Robert gets in top gear, it's like watching a track meet," receiver Santana Moss said. "And he ain't coming in second."
The former college hurdler ran for two scores and threw for another as Washington (3-3) snapped its eight-game home losing streak.
The perennial doormats of the NFC East are becoming relevant again because they finally have a quarterback — a No. 2 overall draft pick able to use his arm and legs to pick apart the Vikings (4-2), who had won three straight and hadn't allowed more than 23 points this season.
After falling behind 9-0 early and being outgained 148-7, Washington responded with 24 straight points during a stretch in which it outgained Minnesota 225-14.
The Vikings made a game of it with two fourth-quarter touchdowns and were starting to use their timeouts, hoping to get the ball back when Griffin faced third-and-6 at his own 24.
Keep in mind that Griffin left the previous week's loss to the Atlanta Falcons when he was hit in the head while trying to get some extra yards on a scramble.
He passed the NFL's post-concussion tests and was cleared to play Sunday, but coaches and teammates hoped that he had learned a lesson about when to keep running and when to slide — or get out of bounds.
Accordingly, Griffin's second-by-second description of his teammates' reaction to his touchdown run is priceless.
"I could see guys telling me I got the first, so they were saying, 'Stay inbounds,'" Griffin said. "And then I was running like, 'I think I can get a little more.' And it all went from 'Stop, stay inbounds,' to 'Go! Go for the touchdown!'"
Redskins head trainer Larry Hess ran alongside down the sideline — "the same 40 I was running," Griffin said. Tight ends coach Sean McVay told Griffin he felt "a gust of wind" as the rookie ran past. Fullback Darrel Young was chanting "R-G-3!" along with the crowd.
Griffin didn't stop until he took a seat on the front row, performing what is quickly becoming known as the "Landover Leap." He said he stayed longer than planned because the fans wouldn't let him leave.
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