Robert Griffin III Heads Back to College Football with Yahoo Sports

In true Yahoo style, college football legend and Heiman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III is getting a second shot at the sport he loves. The collaboration between the star and the brand celebrates drafts officially opening for the Yahoo College Fantasy Football game.

In ‘Back to School’, RGIII believes he’s earned another go at college football, proceeding to move back into the dorms, study playbooks, and throw himself into campus life. At last, he discovers the truth. That is, he wasn’t invited back to play college football; he was invited back to play college fantasy football with Yahoo.

Yahoo’s head of creative Emmy Morton says the strategy behind the campaign was about tapping into the nostalgia surrounding the college experience. “So many of us wish we could relive our college days… so bringing people along for the journey as RGIII actually goes back to school was key to unlocking excitement for Yahoo College Fantasy Football.”

Fantasy football has long been one of the most passionate internet communities, according to Yahoo’s chief marketing officer, Josh Line. “And college football fans have been asking for a game built just for them.” Which is why getting RGIII to be the star of the campaign felt like the perfect way to mark the moment.

“He’s a legend of the sport, in on the joke, and just as excited as our fans are week one,” adds Josh. “His idea of a 'second shot' at college football turned out to be fantasy instead of reality, and honestly, that's a pretty great way to relive it."

The season-long game from Yahoo Sports features players from the Power 4 conferences plus Notre Dame and has expanded rosters to accommodate the depth of talent in the sport. In addition, for the first time on Yahoo Fantasy, a team 'Offence' roster position will be featured.

Speaking of that familiar longing to return to the good old days, RGIII says, “This Yahoo Sports campaign brought that feeling back. We can’t actually go back to play college football, but by playing Yahoo College Fantasy Football, we can still take the W.”

In the film, there is an actual poster of RGIII on the wall, with the camera following him right up to the moment he tries to re-enter the field one more time. “All those creative details add up to people rooting for RGIII’s return to college, only to laugh when he rediscovers he’s been invited to play Yahoo College Fantasy Football,” adds Emmy.

All part of a bigger picture, the campaign kicks off a month-long blitz of Yahoo Fantasy news, being followed by ‘29 Days of Fantasy', which celebrates Yahoo Sports’ 29th year of fantasy football.

The stretch will also unveil a new fantasy feature a day for 29 days straight, giving fans more ways to play, and more tools to make their way towards the championship in 2026.