Eric Boggs
Archie Griffin’s legendary status in college football has been immortalized not only in the hearts of Ohio State fans but now in bronze at two iconic locations. On Saturday, Griffin was honored with a statue at the Rose Bowl, and shortly after, Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork announced that another statue of Griffin will be unveiled outside Ohio Stadium on August 30, just before the Buckeyes’ season opener against Akron.
The Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation commemorated Griffin by unveiling his statue in the Rose Bowl Stadium’s Court of Champions, marking the 50th anniversary of his first Heisman Trophy win. Griffin, who remains the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in college football history, has long been associated with the Rose Bowl, where he played in four consecutive games. His statue now stands near Tunnel 28, adjacent to the iconic Rose Bowl marquee sign. The unveiling ceremony featured remarks from various dignitaries, including Bjork, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, and representatives from the Big Ten, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, and The Heisman Trust. In addition to the statue, a Legends Walk will be created to honor the 19 Heisman Trophy winners who have played in the Rose Bowl, with Griffin and other college football greats from teams like UCLA, Wisconsin, Oregon, Oklahoma, and USC being represented.
Griffin’s accomplishments during his time at Ohio State are unparalleled. Over four seasons (1972-75), he rushed for 5,589 yards and 25 touchdowns, including 412 yards in the Rose Bowl alone. Griffin holds the Buckeyes’ career records for rushing yards and rushing yards per game, with 34 career 100-yard rushing games and an NCAA record of 31 consecutive 100-yard games. His legacy at Ohio State extends beyond his on-field success, as he has been a three-time All-American, a Rose Bowl Game Hall of Famer, and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Reflecting on the honor, Griffin expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am humbled to have a statue in my honor at the Rose Bowl Stadium, one of the most prestigious stadiums in America. When you honor me with this recognition, you also honor the teams that I played on during my four years at The Ohio State University.”
The statue at the Rose Bowl is the first of its kind to honor Griffin, joining other legendary figures like Jackie Robinson, former UCLA coach Terry Donahue, women’s soccer star Brandi Chastain, and broadcaster Keith Jackson. In a gesture that further cements Griffin’s legacy, a full-size replica of the statue will be placed outside Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
Bjork, who succeeded longtime Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith in July, emphasized the significance of Griffin’s upcoming statue at Ohio Stadium. “Archie is one of one,” Bjork said. “Nobody else has ever won two Heismans, so he’s in rarefied air. But it’s really about how Archie makes you feel when you’re around him. He’s genuine, a people person, and has never met a stranger.”
The statue will be located near the Rotunda at Ohio Stadium, a fitting tribute to a man who not only excelled on the football field but also served as an assistant athletic director and president of the OSU Alumni Association after his playing days. Griffin’s remarkable career at Ohio State and his continued impact on the university and its community make this honor well-deserved.
Ohio State fans can look forward to seeing the statue unveiled on August 30, a day before Griffin dots the “i” in Script Ohio at halftime of the Buckeyes’ season opener against Akron. This will make Griffin the 16th non-band member to receive this honor, considered the highest tribute the Ohio State Marching Band can extend to a non-member.
In celebrating Archie Griffin, Ohio State not only honors its greatest football player but also reaffirms the values of leadership, humility, and excellence that he represents. Both statues, in Pasadena and Columbus, stand as lasting symbols of a man whose impact on the game and the university will be remembered for generations to come.
