COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio State football legend Archie Griffin has forever become a part of Ohio Stadium.
On Friday, a statue of Griffin was unveiled in front of former teammates, family and fans. The sculpture represents the legacy he has left at Ohio State. Griffin is the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner. This year marks the 50th anniversary of his first Heisman in 1974.
"I love the idea that Buckeye fans might stop by to visit before a game or talk to future generations of Buckeyes about the great teams that I played on,” said Griffin. “I'm just really so honored when I think about how I can now stay connected to the fans of Ohio State forever."
A Columbus native, Griffin is Ohio-born and bred.
Archie Griffin (45), Ohio State running back carries for College All-Stars as Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Steve Furness begins to bring him down in the second quarter of the All Star game at Chicago's Soldier Field July 23, 1976. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
Ohio State's running back Archie Griffin smiles as he poses with the 1975 Heisman Trophy, on December 2, 1975, in New York City. Griffin, who already won in 1974, is the first player to win the prestigious award twice. (AP Photo)
Ohio State's running back Archie Griffin and his coach Woody Hayes are all smiles after Griffin is awarded the 1975 Heisman Trophy, on December 2, 1975, in New York City. Griffin, who already won in 1974, is the first player to win the prestigious award twice. (AP Photo)
FILE - In this Dec. 8, 1975, file photo, comedian Bob Hope, right, talks with Ohio State All-America football player and Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin during taping of Hope's Christmas program in New York. For many college football fans of a certain age, their introduction to The Associated Press All-America team came during Bob Hope’s annual TV Christmas special. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - In this Nov. 24, 1973, file photo, Ohio State's Archie Griffin picks up some of his game-high 163 yards against Michigan during an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., as Michigan's Walt Williamson (91), Carl Russ (33) and Steve Strinko (59) defend. No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan have a chance to add to the lore of The Game, a football rivalry that is widely regarded as one of the best in sports, when they meet again, on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/File)
FILE – In this Oct. 30, 1999, file photo, two-time Heisman Trophy winner and former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin, right, joined by his 7-year-old son Adam, acknowledges cheers after his number was retired during halftime ceremonies at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Former Ohio State linebacker Chris Spielman filed a federal lawsuit Friday, July 14, 2017, against the university on behalf of several of the school's most famous former student-athletes including Griffin, lineman Jim Stillwagon, safety Mike Doss and others, over a marketing program the ex-athletes say used their photos without permission and robbed them of compensation. (AP Photo/Chris Putman, File)
Archie Griffin runs for a touchdown during a ceremonial play during Ohio State's NCAA college football Spring game Saturday, April 15, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
President Barack Obama reacts to former Ohio State wide receiver, and pro football hall of famer Cris Carter gets his faced wiped by Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith, far left, as they all stand with former Ohio State running back and two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, right, during a ceremony welcoming the NCAA College Football Playoff National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes, Monday, April 20, 2015, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Bob Knight, right, a member of Ohio State's 1960 national championship basketball team, stands at halfcourt with Archie Griffin after being honored during half time of Ohio State's NCAA college basketball game against Lamar on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
"Archie is the people, he's the culture, he's the excellence, the Ohio native, the definition of a Buckeye,” said Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork. “So, it's easy to read the stats and the accolades and those things are nice. But what I've learned is that anyone who's ever interacted with Archie, they walk away not saying he's a great football player, but that he's a great man."
Just last week in Pasadena a statue was also unveiled in Griffin’s honor at the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl has only ever given one other statue copy to another location, that was Jackie Robinson in 2017 at the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York.
To the east of Ohio Stadium, fans will also find Archie Griffin Drive, the honorific name representative of Griffin's permanent footprint around the stadium where he changed the game and made his legacy as a Buckeye.
This is just the start of the honors Griffin will receive for his accomplishments. He will also dot the "i" during the Ohio State marching band's halftime tradition of Script Ohio during Saturday's home opener game against the Akron Zips.
