Ryan Day Pays Heartfelt Tribute as Buckeyes Immortalize Legendary Two-Time Heisman Winner at Ohio Stadium

“He’s a better young man than he is a football player, and he’s the best football player I’ve ever seen,” Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes said about Archie Griffin long ago. Griffin has successfully proven Woody Hayes’s words true, and till today he is considered one of the greatest football players.

College football is known for its legendary players. But very few have achieved the level of greatness and respect that Archie Griffin has. The Ohio State University legend is a role model for many college football and NFL players. Ohio State University unveiled a statue of Archie Griffin in his honor at Ohio Stadium on 30 August. Griffin is the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice in his college football.

Ryan Day, the 24 and current head coach at Ohio State University, gave a heartfelt tribute to the former player and highlighted Griffin’s impact on Ohio State’s football program, college football, and sport as a whole. The new season is kicked off. However, Ryan Day took some time out from his busy schedule to show his love and respect for Griffin and made this day more memorable. “I didn’t get a chance to see you play – I’ve seen the film, you looked fast, powerful—but I have seen the impact you’ve made in this community,” Day said.

Ted Carter, Ohio State’s University President, and their Athletic Director Ross Bjork also accompanied Ryan Day. Along with Dedan Brozino, who is the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation President. Even Griffin shared his remarks and showed gratitude towards the crowd.

By unveiling the legendary player’s statue, Ohio State celebrated the 50 anniversary of Griffin winning his first Heisman Trophy.

Archie Griffin’s early life and achievements

Giffin is the fifth legendary player whose statue is placed on the stadium grounds. A legacy walk was created to honor the Heisman Trophy winner. The American football legend was born on August 21, 1954, in a household in Columbus, Ohio. The former running back played with the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL for seven seasons. He was selected in the first round of the 1976 NFL draft.

He played his college football with Ohio State for 4 years. Griffin won four Nig Ten Conference titles with Buckeyes. He was also the only player to start in four straight Rose Bowls. Griffin is a three-time first-team All-American and the only player to win two Heisman Trophies in 1974 and 1975 continuously. In 1996, the former Ohio State running back was added to the High School Hall of Fame, and Eastmoor Academy named their playing field “Archie Griffin Filed” in his honor and respect.