Program Spokesperson
Archie
Griffin, member of the College National Football Foundation Hall
of Fame, Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, The Ohio State University Sports
Hall of Fame, and the Columbus Public Schools Hall of Fame, has
won virtually all the top honors any single athlete could win
in college football.
Griffin is the only two-time winner of the prestigious Heisman
Trophy, symbolic of “The Outstanding College Football Player
of the Country”. He was a three time All American in 1973,
74 and 75. He was named “Most Valuable
Football Player in the Big Ten” for two straight years,
thereby becoming only the second athlete in history to accomplish
this feat. He was named “College Football Player of the
Year” by both United Press International and by the Sporting
News. Griffin is the first athlete in Ohio State’s history
to have his number retired.
Griffin broke nearly all the Ohio State rushing records. He set
national marks and Big Ten marks, both for a single season and
for a career. He also holds another rare distinction, he was
named Captain of the 1974 Ohio State football team and his teammates
renamed him to Captain of the 1975 Buckeyes.
In 1975, Griffin was a recipient of the NCAA’s Top Five
Award. This award is the top honor an undergraduate can receive
and is based on a combination of athletic skill, academic accomplishment,
leadership and character. Graduating a quarter early, Griffin
earned his college degree in Industrial Relations.
In 1976, he was a first round draft choice of the Cincinnati
Bengals, served as
co-captain and played with that franchise for eight years. As
a professional, Archie continued his illustrious football career
by ranking among the top NFL rushers with a 4.1 yards per carry
average. He also commanded respect throughout the league as a
very adept pass receiver.
Archie Griffin returned to his alma mater in March, 1984. He
later accepted the position of Special Assistant to the Director
of Athletics in June of 1985. In July of 1987, he was named Assistant
Director of Athletics and in April of 1994, named Associate Director
of Athletics. January 1, 2004, he accepted the position of President
and CEO of The Ohio State University Alumni Association.
In October of 1999 his jersey, #45, was retired in front of a
record crowd in Ohio Stadium. He was the very first Buckeye to
receive this honor.
