ESPN’s Paul Finebaum is known for his candid takes, and he didn’t hold back following Florida State’s shocking defeat to Boston College earlier this week.
Finebaum’s latest target was former ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III, who had previously criticized Finebaum for taking what he called “cheap shots” at Florida State before the college football season began.
Finebaum seized the moment to respond, making it clear that he stands by his earlier comments about the Seminoles.
“Whatever day it was that the AP Poll came out, I was on First Take – one of those shows – and they asked me which team in the top 10 wouldn’t be ranked at the end of the season,” Finebaum began.
“I said Florida State, as you probably remember. And Robert Griffin, was it? Is it Griffith or Griffin? I don’t even remember.”
Continuing with his mockery, Finebaum recounted how Griffin had written what he described as a “3,000-word manifesto” criticizing him for his Florida State prediction.
“RG3 did this, like, 3,000-word manifesto on how crazy I am and how wrong I was,” Finebaum said. “I just had to give an answer… There weren’t many choices. It was either Penn State or Florida State.
“Everyone else was going to be in the top 25 when the year was over. So, I just took a flyer on FSU, and the next thing you know, he gets fired.”
The “manifesto” Finebaum referred to was Griffin’s impassioned defense of Florida State, following Finebaum’s earlier “shot” on “First Take,” where he suggested that the Seminoles might have been slowed down by their emotional reaction to missing out on the College Football Playoff.
“Anyone who is throwing shade at or trying to take cheap shots at Florida State for being left out of the College Football Playoff last year must be out of touch with reality,’ Griffin wrote on social media.
“FSU wasn’t a team that was kept out because they lost a game down the stretch. They are a team that were kept out because their starting quarterback fractured his ankle. THAT’S NOT SOMETHING TO MAKE LIGHT OF.
“The players on that team, the coaches, their families and the fans certainly were crying tears for one of the most beloved players in all of college football in Jordan Travis,” Griffin continued.
“Then they scrapped their way to an undefeated regular season with a 2nd and 3rd string QB. That team should be CELEBRATED for what they pulled off down the stretch not mocked.”
Of course, Griffin ended up being fired by ESPN. Finebaum made it clear that he took no joy in that development but stood his ground with his Florida State take.
The former Pro Bowl quarterback is still searching for a new home. His message of defense for Florida State is certainly understandable and respectable. However, Finebaum were merely stating his opinion (one that may very well come true).
What are your thoughts on the back-and-forth between Finebaum and RG3?
More importantly, do you think Mike Norvell and the Seminoles will be able to get back on track and turn their season around???