Archie Griffin

Archie Griffin is recognized in college football history as the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice. Griffin served as the Ohio State Buckeyes' starting tailback for four years, leading the team to a 40-5-1 record and four Big Ten titles. At 5-9 and 180 pounds, Griffin was considered small by college football standards, but in the second game of his freshman year, he ran for a school-record 239 yards. Between his sophomore and senior seasons, Griffin rushed for 100 or more yards in 31 consecutive regular-season games, an NCAA record, as are his 33 career 100-yard games.

Griffin earned the Heisman Trophy as a junior after rushing for nearly 1,700 yards and 12 touchdowns, and returned the following year to become the first and only two-time winner of the Heisman Trophy. In addition to his two Heisman Trophies, he was a three-time All-American, two-time winner of the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player, and the UPI National Player of the Year in both of those seasons. Griffin is also the only player to start in four Rose Bowls. His coach, Woody Hayes, described Griffin as both an outstanding football player and individual.

After his career at Ohio State, Griffin graduated with a degree in industrial relations and was a first-round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals, where he served as co-captain and played for seven seasons. He was a member of the Bengals' AFC championship team. Griffin was later named among the greatest players in college football history. The College Football Hall of Fame and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame have both inducted Griffin.

Following his football career, Griffin worked as a special assistant to Ohio State's athletic director and later became associate director of athletics, ultimately working for the Athletic Department for 19 years. He also served as president and CEO of The Ohio State University Alumni Association, later transitioning to a senior advisor role in the Office of Advancement. In these roles, Griffin led efforts to engage young alumni and launched initiatives focused on career assistance and volunteer relations. His post-football career includes board positions with Motorists Mutual Insurance Company, Abercrombie & Fitch, and the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, among other organizations.

Griffin has devoted significant time to philanthropic causes, including the creation of the Archie Griffin Scholarship Fund, which supports Ohio State's Olympic sports programs. The Archie and Bonita Griffin Foundation Fund develops sports, educational, and travel programs for youth. Griffin was the first recipient of the Big Ten's Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award and was named the Rose Bowl's All-Century Player. His name appears on the Big Ten Championship Game MVP award alongside Red Grange. Griffin has also served as commencement speaker at Ohio State. He remains a prominent figure in American football, recognized for his leadership and contributions on and off the field.