Archie Griffin, a name forever etched in college football history, stands as the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, a feat that has yet to be duplicated. But even with the glory of national recognition, two Rose Bowl appearances, and a professional football career, there remains something uniquely touching and powerful about watching your own legacy take shape through your family. As the summer winds down and anticipation for the fall football season builds in Columbus, Ohio, Archie Griffin ’76 is preparing for an emotional milestone—his grandson is set to take the field at Ohio Stadium, marking the arrival of a third generation of Griffins to don the scarlet and gray.
To the Buckeye faithful, Archie Griffin is more than just a legendary running back; he’s a symbol of class, humility, and Ohio pride. During his time at The Ohio State University in the 1970s, Griffin set records that still endure and inspired generations with his poise and relentless work ethic. Beyond statistics, his influence on the culture of Buckeye football helped define the standard of excellence at a program steeped in tradition. Now, nearly five decades after his own final game at the Horseshoe, Griffin will watch from the stands as his grandson steps onto that same iconic turf. For Archie, this is more than football—it’s family, heritage, and the continuation of something deeply personal.
Growing up, Archie’s children were familiar with his legacy, though he rarely emphasized his accomplishments. He never pushed football on his kids or grandkids, preferring instead to let them find their own passions. Yet the game was always there, part of the family rhythm, from stories told in the living room to occasional visits to Ohio Stadium. It’s easy to imagine the awe a young child might feel walking into that massive arena, hearing 100,000 voices chant “O-H-I-O,” and realizing their grandfather was once the epicenter of that energy.
Archie’s grandson, a promising athlete in his own right, had choices. He could have chosen another path, another sport, or another school. But something pulled him toward Ohio State. Maybe it was the family stories, or the roar of the crowd echoing in his ears during childhood visits. Maybe it was the quiet dignity with which his grandfather carried the weight of his own legacy, never boastful, but always present. Whatever the reason, when he committed to Ohio State, it was a moment filled with pride not only for Archie but for the entire Griffin family.
That pride is layered, rooted in more than football. Archie Griffin has always believed in the power of education and character. He has spent much of his post-football life working with the Ohio State Alumni Association, supporting student-athletes, and emphasizing the importance of life beyond the game. For him, watching his grandson enroll at Ohio State meant seeing him take on the full experience of being a student-athlete—not just the football aspect, but the academics, the community involvement, and the personal growth. This is what Archie hopes will shape his grandson’s experience just as much as wearing the Buckeye uniform.
There’s a quiet humility in how Archie talks about his grandson’s achievements. He doesn’t compare stats or project expectations. He knows how pressure can affect a young athlete, especially one carrying a famous last name. Instead, he focuses on support—being present at games, offering guidance when asked, and letting his grandson find his own identity. In interviews, Archie has often said that football teaches discipline, resilience, and teamwork, lessons that extend well beyond the field. Now, as he watches the next generation embrace these lessons, he reflects on his own journey, understanding just how much things have changed—and how much they’ve stayed the same.
Ohio Stadium, affectionately known as “The Shoe,” has seen countless moments of glory. From Woody Hayes’ hard-nosed teams to Urban Meyer’s national champions, the stadium has been a sanctuary for the faithful, a place where legends are made. For Archie, it’s also a place filled with personal memories: the long runs, the locker room camaraderie, the bittersweet goodbyes. Sitting in the stands this fall, he will likely feel the flood of nostalgia—images of his own playing days flashing before him as he watches his grandson line up on that same field.
But Archie understands that the path forward is not a replication of the past. His grandson is his own person, with his own game, his own strengths, and his own dreams. The pressure to live up to the Griffin name is real, but so is the freedom to forge a new path. Archie encourages that. He wants his grandson to play for love of the game, not the shadow of history. He wants him to relish the college experience, to be a great teammate, a good student, and above all, a person of integrity.
For the Griffin family, football has always been a conduit—not the end goal, but a way of building character and community. Archie’s sons played football too, and while they found their own successes, each pursued different passions beyond the field. This is the model Archie has tried to pass down: work hard, stay humble, and understand that football, as grand and consuming as it may seem, is just one chapter in life.
This fall, when the Buckeyes run out onto the field under the gaze of Brutus Buckeye and a sea of scarlet, there will be one more Griffin among them. And in the crowd, Archie will be there—not as a legend watching from a pedestal, but as a proud grandfather, heart full, reliving memories and making new ones. He knows the road won’t be easy. College football is grueling, competitive, and often unforgiving. But he also knows the value of perseverance and the unmatched feeling of representing something greater than oneself.
Watching his grandson suit up for Ohio State is more than a ceremonial moment. It’s a continuation of values: hard work, sacrifice, and loyalty. It’s the passing of a torch not just through bloodlines but through shared ideals. Archie is acutely aware of the privilege it is to witness this moment, to see his family’s journey come full circle in a place that helped define his life.
There will be whispers in the stadium, no doubt. Fans will talk about the Griffin name, about the legacy. Some will wonder if the grandson can replicate the grandfather’s greatness. But Archie knows better. He knows the game has changed, the pressures are different, and the most important legacy is not about records or trophies. It’s about representing your family, your school, and yourself with honor.
This fall marks a moment of legacy, yes, but more than that, it’s a moment of connection—between generations, between past and future, between memory and hope. Archie Griffin may forever be linked to the golden era of Buckeye football, but his story is not frozen in time. It lives on, evolving through his family, carried forward by a new generation that understands the weight of the jersey and the meaning of the name.
For Archie, every Saturday in the fall now carries new anticipation. The familiar sights and sounds of the stadium, the traditions that haven’t changed, all take on deeper meaning. Each game is not just about wins and losses, but about moments shared, lessons remembered, and bonds strengthened. As the Buckeyes take the field and the crowd rises to its feet, Archie will smile, knowing he’s witnessing something extraordinary—not just for Ohio State, but for his own family.
And when his grandson steps onto that field, helmet glinting in the sun, eyes scanning the sea of scarlet in the stands, he’ll know that somewhere up there, his grandfather is watching—not as a legend demanding perfection, but as a mentor, a supporter, and above all, a grandfather filled with pride. The legacy continues, not because of records or trophies, but because of love, perseverance, and the enduring power of family.
