Good morning P.O.U. Fam! The notable Heisman Trophy winner of the decade of the 1970s is Archie Griffin —- college football’s only two-time Heisman Trophy winner.
Early Life
Archie Griffin was born on August 21, 1954, to James Griffin and Margaret Monroe Griffin in Columbus, Ohio. The middle brother in a family of seven boys, Archie was surrounded by natural athletes—each of his brothers would play college football, and three would play in the NFL.
Griffin starred at halfback at Eastmoor High School for four years, earning all-district honors as a junior, and being honored as a member of the All-State Team after leading them to the City Championship in 1972 (his senior year). Archie duplicated his on-field successes in the classroom, as well. He was an outstanding student.
Because he was such an ambitious student, Griffin wanted to attend Northwestern University. The coach of Ohio State at the time, however—Woody Hayes—kept the young star in his hometown, charming Archie into playing for Ohio State.
In a game against North Carolina, in his freshman year, Archie broke the all-time Ohio State single game rushing record, gaining 239 yards. In his sophomore year, Griffin began what was and still is a remarkable record of 31 consecutive 100-yard performances, a college football record.
When Griffin entered his junior year at Ohio State, many fans wondered what more they could possibly see out of their star. In his junior season, Griffin gained 1620 yards and earned the most votes in the 1974 Heisman Trophy competition.
The very next year, he came back and gained 1357 yards, again winning the Heisman and becoming the first (and only) player to ever win two Heisman Trophy Awards.
Pro Career and Afterwards
Griffin was selected as the second pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 1976 NFL draft. He played with the Bengals for eight seasons. Griffin left the team ranked fourth on the team’s all-time leading rusher list, gaining 2808 yards, and fifth on the alltime leading receiver list, with 192 receptions.
After football, Griffin returned to Ohio State University to receive a MBA. Griffin became President and CEO of the Ohio State Alumni Association on January 1, 2004. As the leader of a worldwide network of more than 450,000 alumni, Griffin’s aim is to make it possible for all graduates and former students to stay connected and continue to strengthen the status of the university.
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| Ohio State’s four living Heisman winners: Hop Cassady, Archie Griffin, Eddie George, and Troy Smith. |
