Robert Griffin III, FOX Sports college football commentator and Heisman Trophy winner has had a rough stretch when it comes to close calls. Friday night gave him another one he will not forget anytime soon.

"The right engine of our plane flying out of Houston caught fire just after take off," Griffin posted on X on June 20. "We heard 15 straight loud bangs and immediately knew something was wrong."

Griffin was on a flight out of Houston when the right engine on the plane caught fire just after takeoff.

Fortunately, the pilots were able to land ot safely.

"Thankfully the pilots were able to get us and every passenger back safe and sound with zero injuries," he added. "God is good."

The plane turned around and made it back without anyone getting hurt. Griffin confirmed no passengers were injured.

This comes eight months after Griffin shared what he called the worst car accident of his life. In October 2025, he posted on X that his family was involved in a serious crash in Fort Worth, Texas.

"Just got in the worst car accident of our lives with my wife and kids in Fort Worth, Texas," Griffin wrote at the time. "Scary crash, ricocheted off the highway divider multiple times, blown both front tires. Thankful to God that my wife and kids are safe."

Both times, he and his family walked away without serious injuries. That pattern of gratitude has come through clearly in how Griffin has spoken about both incidents publicly.

Griffin Is Heading Into His Second Season as a FOX Broadcaster

Away from the scares, Griffin is building something on the other side of his NFL career. He is set for his second season as a college football color commentator for FOX after making his debut alongside Jason Benetti in 2025.

Griffin reflected on what returning to broadcasting meant to him ahead of his debut last year.

"Being out and away from it showed me that the passion to do it never waned," Griffin said. "Fox was the first place that I auditioned and immediately saw my ability both in the broadcast booth and also in the studio."

That honesty about his time away from ESPN gives some context to how much this means to him personally.

Griffin and Benetti called some big matchups last season, including a Week 10 game between Texas Tech and Kansas State that drew 3.1 million viewers on FOX. Benetti has since moved to NBC to become the voice of Sunday Night Baseball. FOX has not announced its replacement yet.

Griffin also hosts a podcast called Outta Pocket with RGIII alongside his wife, Grete, and he is on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame for the Class of 2027 after winning the Heisman Trophy at Baylor.

What do you think about the terrifying experience Griffin and his family went through? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi