When discussing Robert Griffin III and Brittney Griner, the phrase "super-human" is often bandied about. But both Baylor-born superstars showed their mortal sides on Sunday night.
Griner, the 6-foot-8 phenom out of Houston, has had her way in the NCAA for four years at Baylor. As a junior, she led the Lady Bears to a 40-0 record and a national championship. There was little doubt her senior year would bring another title home to Waco, but the Louisville Cardinals had other plans.
With a menacing defense and a red hot offense, the Cardinals took it strong to Baylor for the full 40 minutes of play. At one point, Louisville led the defending national champions by 19 points. Baylor held a lead only once, 81-80, with six seconds on the clock. The late-game surge wouldn't be enough.
In the final seconds, two questionable fouls (by Baylor's standard, anyway) saw the Lady Bears called for a charge and then a defensive foul. The result was Louisville at the charity stripe with the game on the line. The Cardinals outlasted the Bears, 82-81, to advance to the Elite 8.
To say that Baylor was stunned would be an understatement. But Robert Griffin III showed a rare display of anger when he took to Twitter to air his grievances about the Cardinals' physical play and Griner haters.
Whew.....ok I took my time to calm down and not go off on twitter about the Baylor Girls Basketball game....BUT I CAN'T DO IT!!!!!
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 1, 2013People poke and make fun of B. Griner all the time but C'MON MAN....Them girls were LITERALLY throwing elbows, slaps, weave....
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 1, 2013Not to mention the lil lady who was mean-mugging B. Griner's BELLY BUTTON after she made the nice layup.....BACK UP CHILDS PLAY!!!
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 1, 2013No hate on this end people Louisville won & will live to play another game #Props but that doesn't mean I have to like how it went down
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 1, 2013Yes people Louisville hit the 3 ball all night. But for every 3 they made, they threw 6 elbows, 5 straight lefts, 4 right hooks...
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 1, 2013.....3 roundhouse kicks, 2 jumping knees, & 1 superman punch at B. Griner's abdominals. Aiming for her face but couldn't reach
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 1, 2013To those who are mad and lose respect for me because I support my school and support my friends.......
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 1, 2013I would rather have the guts to stand up for them, then to have that respect for sitting down & saying nothing
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 1, 2013...Deep Breath....(Grabs ears) WooSah....I'm out for the night. Knowing that HE is Risen gives me peace...Great Career B. Griner!
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 1, 2013Robert Griffin III and Brittney Griner at the 2012 ESPY awards.
The Dallas Wimbledon watch party will include the iconic strawberries and cream. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images