Archie Griffin Proudly Anticipates Third Generation of His Legendary Family Taking the Field at Iconic Ohio Stadium This Fall

Archie Griffin Proudly Anticipates Third Generation of His Legendary Family Taking the Field at Iconic Ohio Stadium This Fall

Archie Griffin, Ohio State legend and the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in college football history, has seen and accomplished more on a football field than perhaps any Buckeye in history. But this fall, a different kind of milestone awaits—one not measured in touchdowns, trophies, or headlines. For Griffin, now in his late 60s, the upcoming season carries deep personal meaning as his grandson prepares to take the field inside the very stadium where Archie built his legacy nearly five decades ago.

The idea of a third-generation Griffin suiting up in the scarlet and gray is something that stirs emotions even in someone as composed and accomplished as Archie. When asked about what it means to see his grandson take the field at Ohio Stadium, his voice carries both pride and reverence. “It’s something you can’t really put into words,” he says. “To watch him run out of that tunnel, wearing the same colors I did, in front of that crowd… that’s special. That’s family. That’s Buckeye football.”

For Archie Griffin, the journey began as a humble recruit from Columbus Eastmoor High School. When he arrived at Ohio State in the early 1970s, few could have imagined the kind of impact he would go on to make. From 1972 to 1975, Griffin rushed for more than 5,000 yards and won the Heisman Trophy in both 1974 and 1975—a feat that remains unmatched. But beyond the records and accolades, Griffin earned respect for his consistency, humility, and leadership.

After his playing career, which included several seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Griffin transitioned into various leadership roles within the Ohio State community. He has long been a fixture on campus and a powerful ambassador for the university. His legacy, however, has always extended beyond himself. His brothers Ray and Keith also played football at high levels—Ray, notably, was a defensive star for Ohio State in the mid-1970s—and now the Griffin name is poised to grace the Buckeye roster once more.

The youngest Griffin, whose name the family has asked to be kept low-profile for now, is a defensive back entering his freshman year. He may not yet have the fame of his grandfather, but those close to the program say he carries the same fierce work ethic, team-first mindset, and grounded demeanor. Standing just over six feet tall, with a lean but muscular frame, the younger Griffin has already turned heads during offseason workouts and training camp.

Coaches have praised not only his physical tools, but also his maturity and attention to detail. “He’s got that quiet confidence you don’t often see in freshmen,” one assistant coach noted. “He studies film like a vet, and he never shies away from competition. It’s clear he understands what it means to wear that jersey, especially with his last name.”

The pressure of living up to a legendary family name can be intense. At a place like Ohio State, where football traditions run as deep as the Olentangy River, expectations are never low. But those close to the family say the younger Griffin is not focused on living up to the past. Instead, he’s focused on carving out his own role, his own legacy, and contributing in any way he can. For Archie, that’s exactly what he hopes to see.

“I don’t want him to feel like he has to be me,” Archie says. “He’s his own man, and I want him to enjoy this experience for himself. Of course, I’ll be proud no matter what. But the most important thing is that he plays hard, respects the game, and grows as a person. That’s what matters.”

Still, it’s hard to ignore the poetic symmetry of it all. Archie Griffin, the heart and soul of Ohio State football during one of its most dominant eras, will now sit in the stands or quietly watch from a sideline suite, watching his grandson continue the story. This generational handoff speaks to something timeless about college football: the way it connects past to present, roots families in tradition, and provides moments that stretch across decades.

Ohio Stadium, affectionately known as “The Horseshoe,” has been home to countless legends. But few names carry the weight of Griffin. Whether it’s the statue outside, the jerseys in the team shop, or the reverence in the voices of fans who saw him play, Archie’s legacy is etched into the very walls of the building. And now, with his grandson preparing to run through the same tunnel, a new chapter is being written—one that ties memory to motion, history to future.

Teammates have already taken to calling the freshman “Griff,” a nod to both his lineage and his growing presence in the locker room. He’s not loud or flashy, but he’s dependable—exactly the kind of player who earns respect by showing up, day after day, without shortcuts or excuses. Strength coaches have noted his natural instincts and high football IQ, while academic advisors speak just as highly about his classroom demeanor and time management.

That balance—between athlete and student, ambition and humility—is something Archie has always valued. In fact, he often emphasizes that his proudest moments didn’t necessarily come on the football field. “I was the first in my family to graduate from college,” Archie says. “That degree meant everything to my parents. Football opened a lot of doors for me, but education gave me the tools to walk through them.”

That message is one he’s passed down to his children and grandchildren. And so while the highlight reels and game-day cheers may eventually come, Archie is just as eager to see his grandson grow off the field—developing relationships, learning from coaches, and soaking up the broader experience of being a Buckeye.

This fall, as over 100,000 fans pour into Ohio Stadium each Saturday, they’ll be focused on the scoreboard, the plays, the rankings. But for one man, in one family section of the stands, the stakes will be a little different. Archie Griffin will be watching not just a game, but a legacy in motion—a continuation of values, effort, and love for the sport that has shaped his life in more ways than one.

The Griffin name at Ohio State is more than just a name—it’s a standard. A standard built on hard work, integrity, and resilience. And while it would be easy to get swept up in nostalgia or future hype, Archie is taking it one day at a time, content to watch, support, and quietly smile each time his grandson steps on the field.

As the Buckeyes prepare for another title run, the story of this fall will include all the usual elements: thrilling games, rivalry drama, playoff hopes. But for those paying close attention, there will also be something uniquely moving in the sight of a Griffin back in action—this time, carrying not just the ball, but a multigenerational dream that began half a century ago and is still unfolding, one play at a time.

From the first whistle of the season to the final echo of “Carmen Ohio,” Archie Griffin will be there—not as the Heisman legend, not as the public figure, but as a grandfather beaming with pride. And if you happen to glance toward the Griffin family box this fall, don’t be surprised if you see him standing quietly, hand over heart, watching as another chapter in the Buckeye story takes shape beneath the Ohio sky.