Archie Griffin was a great college football running back. His games took place half in Columbus, Ohio and half on the road around the country. Archie Griffin played in the Rose Bowl for Ohio State four times. He is the only college football player ever to win the Heisman Trophy, as the nation’s best player, twice. After his college playing career, Archie Griffin had an undistinguished professional career. After that his professional career he became president of the Ohio State alumni association.
Archie Griffin is revered in Columbus, Ohio. In 2024, he received a rare honor. He dotted the I in script Ohio performed by the band. He is one of the few band members who have rooted the I in script Ohio. In this article, we review each of the four seasons Archie Griffin played for Ohio State, though he did not play much during his freshman year in 1972. This article will then cover Archie Griffin’s post-football playing career, which has been equally impressive.
Archie Griffin In 1972 and 1973
It is said that the best thing about freshmen is that they will become sophomores, and that was the case with Archie Griffin, though he did play in the Rose Bowl in his freshman year, making it four times. He had 139 carries for 772 yards. In 1973 Griffin was a sophomore. He had 225 carries for 1,428 yards. He finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting, a good result for a sophomore, and a good omen for the future.
Griffin in 1974
In 1974, his Junior season, Griffin had 236 carries for 1,620 yards. He played in the Rose Bowl and won his first Heisman Trophy. Many people thought he would win the Heisman Trophy again in his senior season, and there was great anticipation and Ohio State was happy to have its feature running back returning for his senior season.
Griffin In 1975, His Senior Year
This was an era when football players played their senior season, so Archie Griffin did. In 1975 Griffin had a slightly worse statistical season with 245 carries for 1,357 yards. Though his average yards per rush fell to 5.5 (from a gaudy 6.9 in his junior season) his numbers were good enough to win his second Heisman Trophy. He is the only college football player to win two Heisman Trophies.
There was some thought that USC Quarterback Caleb Williams, who won the Heisman Trophy in his junior season would go on to win two, but he had a poor senior season. There have been several non-seniors to win the Heisman Trophy but they have all fallen apart later during their college football playing careers. Griffin is to be lauded for his collegiate longevity and accomplishments. Griffin played in all four years during the vaunted 10-Year War between Ohio State and the University of Michigan.
Post-Football Playing Career
Archie Griffin had a seven-year professional playing career for the Cincinnati Bengals, but his highlights were in his post-football playing career. He was President of the Ohio State Alumni Association for 11 years. In 2024 he was honored by the Ohio State marching band, the best damn band in the land, by dotting the I in script Ohio. Only 14 other non-band members have dotted the I in script Ohio. Doing so was the crowning moment o Griffin’s career. That day Ohio State also dedicated a statue of Griffin outside Ohio Stadium. That statue will be there forever honoring Griffin.
Conclusion
Archie Griffin is revered for his accomplishments at Ohio State and no other school has a former player like him. The University of Michigan may have a former President, Gerald Ford, and he played for the football team, but only Griffin won two consecutive Heisman Trophies. He has a monument outside Ohio Stadium. That is petty good for the kid from Columbus.
