Legendary Ohio State Buckeyes running back Archie Griffin was honored at Rose Bowl Stadium on Saturday when a statue of the two-time Heisman Trophy winner was unveiled.
1 of 1 Archie Griffin statue to be unveiled at the Rose Bowl today! @ohiostatefb is blessed to have him. Legend and class in every moment. #ArchieGriffin started in 4 Rose Bowls ❤️🌹Wonderful day to support the @rosebowlstadium @RoseBowlLegacy #archie #heisman pic.twitter.com/pp8I8X6PBh
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) 17 August 2024
Griffin is the only player in history to win two Heisman Trophy awards, and he is one of only two players to ever start in four consecutive Rose Bowls.
The 69-year-old won his Heisman Awards in 1974 and 1975.
The previous year, Griffin rushed for 1,620 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging an incredible 6.9 yards per carry. The following season, Griffin rushed for 1,357 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per attempt.
Griffin finished fifth in the 1973 Heisman Trophy voting after totaling 1,428 rushing yards and six touchdowns, averaging a solid 6.3 yards per touchdown.
Griffin will not only be honored at the Rose Bowl Stadium, but according to Ross Bjork, Ohio State University’s athletic director, he will also be immortalized in Columbus on August 30.
What a moment for Archie, his family, teammates & @OhioStateFB
The Archie statue looks amazing. We will unveil the Columbus version on August 30th in the Rotunda. Go Buckeyes 👊🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/CdQjkIedaw— Ross Bjork (@RossBjorkAD) 17 August 2024
Griffin is in the College Football Hall of Fame.
The Columbus native was selected 24th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1976 NFL Draft.
Griffin played seven seasons in the NFL, but he never came close to his level of performance at the college level.
His best season was 1979, when he had 688 rushing yards and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. During his entire professional career, Griffin only scored seven rushing touchdowns.
Regardless, we will never forget Griffin’s accomplishment at Ohio State University – and in the NCAA in general – and now we have a physical reminder of it.
