Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III joined Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Thursday at Six Flags America, where they kicked off the new "Stop Bullying In Its Tracks!" campaign.
Robert Griffin III knows what it's like to be bullied.
Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan spoke at the "Stop Bullying In Its Tracks!" event at Six Flags America April 2, 2015, in Upper Marlboro, Md.
But with a positive attitude and the right support system – including two big sisters who defended him every step of the way – Griffin III overcame those trying to intimidate and belittle him to achieve his dreams of becoming an NFL quarterback.
On Thursday, Griffin III – representing the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation – joined forces with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to help kick off Six Flags America's new "Stop Bullying In Its Tracks!" campaign at their Upper Marlboro, Md., amusement park.
"I can't tell you how proud I am to be here and be a party of this anti-bullying campaign," Griffin III told a crowd of approximately 200 students, as well as other guest speakers. "Because I can see what it does to kids and I also know what it did in my life."
Thursday's campaign was the start of a partnership between the park, and the Anne Arundel and Prince George's County Public Schools to create messaging to empower students and park guests to stop bullying.
After the presentation by Hogan, Griffin III and several other guests, they headed to another part of the park where they signed an eight-foot-tall, bright yellow "Bullying Stops With Me!" signature wall.
Griffin III's hand-written message on the wall? "I pledge to make a difference in this world & have the courage to stand up against bullying!"
"I have a general belief that people are good, and it's our job to re-instill it to people that humanity is good," Griffin III said. "I'm here to tell you whether or not if you've been bullied or you have been a bully, you can change that and you can grow up to be whatever you want. I had dreams of becoming a professional athlete and now I'm standing before you as a starting quarterback in the NFL. And that is something I really appreciate."
Both Griffin III and Hogan said the advent of social media has made bullying – particularly cyber bullying – an issue that some children must deal with 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Griffin III said it's important to get ahead of issues like cyber bulling and to not be afraid to say something if it doesn't look or feel right.
"The one thing I try to say is, 'If you're bullying people, it doesn't make you stronger, and if you've been bullied, it doesn't make you weak,'" he said. "But it makes you a good person if you can stand up for somebody and say something. I appreciate you guys doing that."
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