Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in college football history, will become the first-ever “Victory Bell Ringer” at Ohio State. He’ll help ignite the Buckeyes’ energy and spirit as they kick off the 2025 season with a high-stakes showdown against Texas.
Archie Griffin, one of the most legendary figures not only in Ohio State history but in the annals of college football, will serve as the inaugural “Victory Bell Ringer” when the Buckeyes take the field for their highly anticipated 2025 season opener against Texas. The moment promises to blend rich tradition with the renewed energy of a new season, and there may be no more fitting person to help usher in this new gameday ritual than the two-time Heisman Trophy winner himself. As the anticipation builds toward what is already one of the most talked-about matchups of the upcoming season, Griffin’s selection is symbolic, powerful, and deeply meaningful to Ohio State fans and alumni everywhere.
The idea of the “Victory Bell Ringer” is part of Ohio State’s continued effort to evolve its football traditions while remaining anchored in the foundational values that have defined the program for decades: excellence, legacy, and pride. By designating an individual to ring the bell before home games, Ohio State is creating a ceremonial moment that unites past and present—honoring those who laid the groundwork for Buckeye greatness while energizing today’s team and fans for the battle ahead. That Griffin would be the first to take on this role is no surprise. His name is synonymous with Ohio State football, and his achievements remain unmatched in the history of the sport.
When Archie Griffin rings the Victory Bell at Ohio Stadium, it won’t just be about sound or symbolism. It will represent a call to arms for Buckeye Nation, a rallying point that threads the legacy of yesteryear with the ambitions of tomorrow. For fans who grew up watching Griffin dominate defenses in the 1970s, the moment will stir memories of the Buckeyes’ golden era. For today’s players—many of whom were born decades after Griffin’s final collegiate snap—it will serve as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when talent meets character and commitment. To see Griffin at the center of a new Ohio State tradition is to witness history in motion.
The choice of Texas as the opponent for the season opener only amplifies the moment. It’s not just any opening game—it’s a clash of titans. The Longhorns enter the 2025 season as one of the top-ranked teams in the nation, and so do the Buckeyes. Both programs are rich in history, hungry for a national title, and stacked with elite talent. The eyes of the college football world will be squarely focused on Ohio Stadium when these two powerhouses collide. In that context, the addition of a pregame tradition like the Victory Bell becomes even more significant. It’s not just about ceremony—it’s about sending a message.
Archie Griffin ringing that bell is the ultimate tone-setter. It says, “This is Ohio State. This is who we are. And this is what we’re playing for.” It communicates urgency, legacy, pride, and expectation—all in one gesture. It’s a way of grounding the present team in the deep, fertile soil of Buckeye history while reminding everyone in the building that greatness is not only a goal but a standard.
To understand the full gravity of this moment, one has to appreciate who Archie Griffin is and what he represents. Between 1972 and 1975, Griffin rushed for over 5,000 yards and won the Heisman Trophy in back-to-back years—a feat that has never been duplicated. But his legacy goes beyond statistics and awards. He is revered as much for his humility, sportsmanship, and leadership as he is for his on-field brilliance. Even decades after his playing career ended, Griffin remains a symbol of everything that’s right about college football—and everything Ohio State strives to be. His presence at the season opener is not just a nod to the past; it’s a challenge to the present and future: live up to the standard.
And the standard at Ohio State is high. This year’s team is expected to be among the best in the country, and expectations are sky-high. The coaching staff is elite, the roster is loaded, and the fanbase is ready. Adding Griffin to the pregame ritual reinforces that sense of purpose and legacy. The Victory Bell will not just ring for tradition’s sake—it will toll for unity, determination, and the pursuit of excellence.
From a broader perspective, this new ritual is yet another example of how college football programs like Ohio State continue to innovate around fan engagement and tradition. In recent years, we’ve seen schools add honorary captains, alumni tunnel walks, team walks, and other symbolic moments that bring generations of players and fans together. The Victory Bell is Ohio State’s answer to that trend—but done the Buckeye way, with reverence, thoughtfulness, and iconic figures at its heart.
Involving someone like Archie Griffin in the inaugural moment ensures the tradition starts on solid footing. This isn’t just a celebrity appearance or a token gesture. It’s the passing of a torch, a ceremonial blessing from the greatest Buckeye of them all. And that carries real weight. It adds depth and emotion to what might otherwise be a fleeting pregame moment. Griffin is not just a former player—he is the embodiment of what it means to be a Buckeye. Having him ring the bell is like having the soul of the program announce, “Let’s go.”
The imagery alone is powerful. Picture it: a packed Ohio Stadium, scarlet and gray everywhere, the roar of nearly 100,000 fans building to a crescendo. Then Griffin steps forward, the Victory Bell gleaming in the sunlight, and with one strong pull, sets it ringing across the stadium. Players look up. Coaches nod. Fans erupt. It’s a moment that will be etched into the memory of everyone in attendance and broadcast across the country to millions more. It’s theatrical, yes—but it’s also deeply authentic.
This authenticity is important. In college football, traditions only endure when they are rooted in meaning. Gimmicks fade; rituals with soul endure. By anchoring the Victory Bell ceremony in the legacy of someone like Griffin, Ohio State is ensuring this new tradition has staying power. It’s not about flash. It’s about connection—between past and present, between team and fanbase, between the game and the greater legacy it represents.
There is also something poetic about Griffin’s return to this kind of spotlight at this moment in time. In an era where college football is evolving rapidly—with NIL deals, conference realignments, and playoff expansions—there’s comfort in seeing a living legend take center stage. It’s a reminder that even amid all the change, some things remain timeless. Greatness, humility, team spirit—these values still matter. And they’re personified in Archie Griffin.
Moreover, Griffin’s involvement sends a message to current players. Many of them grew up hearing about him, seeing his highlights, and understanding his importance in the college football canon. To see him step into their world, to physically share the space where they now compete, is grounding. It’s motivating. It’s inspirational. It tells them that they’re part of something bigger than themselves—that when they put on that jersey, they’re stepping into a legacy that demands their best.
For fans, especially those who have followed the program for decades, this moment will be rich with emotion. Griffin’s name evokes nostalgia, pride, and a sense of continuity. To see him actively participate in a new tradition is a gift—one that connects generations and breathes new life into familiar passions. It’s also a brilliant way to bring older fans into the evolving landscape of the sport. New tradition, same heartbeat.
And for younger fans and students, this will be an opportunity to witness living history. They may know Griffin from highlight reels or statue tributes, but seeing him in action, leading the charge in real time, will forge a more visceral connection. It’s one thing to learn about a legend; it’s another to see him play a direct role in your team’s journey.
As the Buckeyes prepare to take on Texas in what could be one of the defining games of the 2025 season, every detail matters. Energy. Focus. Unity. Intensity. Having Archie Griffin ring the Victory Bell is more than ceremonial—it’s strategic. It injects purpose and legacy into the pregame atmosphere. It says: “This game matters. This season matters. And we’re ready.”
In the days and weeks leading up to the opener, fans will talk about matchups, schemes, rankings, and statistics. But when game day arrives and that bell rings, it will all come down to heart, to will, and to pride. That moment—simple in execution but profound in impact—will reverberate through the stands and into the soul of every Buckeye in attendance.
And if the bell rings loud enough, maybe it won’t just signal the start of a new game. Maybe it will signal the start of something unforgettable.
