“This is a great young leader, man,” Fletcher said. “Sometimes, I don’t think people really appreciate how great this kid is because, I know, last year he stepped on the scene and he did so much stuff. He was asked to be a savior of a franchise that hadn’t had a franchise quarterback in 20 some-odd years. He came in and you talk about giving up all the draft picks and all the things they did to bring him in, and he handled the expectations and even exceeded those. He carried himself in a manner that’s very rare [for] young guys [to] do. He has great leadership qualities.”
Griffin’s leadership has been the subject of much discussion—both locally and nationally—in recent days after his controversial comments following Sunday’s loss to the Eagles.
[RELATED: RG3: 'If I could take any of that back, yeah I would' ]
Fletcher wasn’t asked specifically about Griffin’s postgame press conference. But he said the second-year quarterback’s ability to lead 52 other men should not be questioned.
The 38-year-old linebacker also said that much of Griffin’s leadership occurs out of the public eye.
“He has intangibles that you can’t coach,” Fletcher said. “You don’t coach leadership. Leadership isn’t always the guy yelling at somebody, the loudest guy in the room, the guy who is the most vocal guy. People lead in different ways. It may be encouraging [teammates], inspiring. When you see a guy on third-and-seven and he dives for a first down to get the drive going. That’s inspirational, that inspires your team, that’s being a leader.”
After a pause, Fletcher added: “Believe me, the kid gets it. It may be a text message he sends to a group of guys or a conversation that we may have. People don’t see, but the kid is a leader.
Griffin’s leadership has been the subject of much discussion—both locally and nationally—in recent days after his controversial comments following Sunday’s loss to the Eagles.
[RELATED: RG3: 'If I could take any of that back, yeah I would' ]
Fletcher wasn’t asked specifically about Griffin’s postgame press conference. But he said the second-year quarterback’s ability to lead 52 other men should not be questioned.
The 38-year-old linebacker also said that much of Griffin’s leadership occurs out of the public eye.
“He has intangibles that you can’t coach,” Fletcher said. “You don’t coach leadership. Leadership isn’t always the guy yelling at somebody, the loudest guy in the room, the guy who is the most vocal guy. People lead in different ways. It may be encouraging [teammates], inspiring. When you see a guy on third-and-seven and he dives for a first down to get the drive going. That’s inspirational, that inspires your team, that’s being a leader.”
After a pause, Fletcher added: “Believe me, the kid gets it. It may be a text message he sends to a group of guys or a conversation that we may have. People don’t see, but the kid is a leader.