'Definition of a Buckeye': Ohio State honors Griffin

COLUMBUS — There's the stiff arm that can be felt 50 years later. There's the No. 45 that is popular on the chests and backs of many Ohio State football fans. There's the stern look that stared into the eyes of countless defenders. Those elements accompany a powerful figure in Columbus. Now, those pieces that helped make Archie Griffin the legend he is, won't be forgotten. Ohio State unveiled only its third athletics-centric statue (Woody Hayes and Jesse Owens) on campus Friday, a day before the Buckeyes opened the 2024 season. Sitting in the rotunda outside Ohio Stadium, posing with that iconic stiff arm, Griffin will forever be held in Buckeye lore. "Archie is the people," OSU athletics director Ross Bjork said. "He's the culture. He's the excellence. The Ohio native — the definition of a Buckeye." The statue is a replica of one unveiled outside Rose Bowl Stadium earlier this month. While the original holds its own special meaning to Griffin, the Columbus native who played at Eastmoore Academy knows what a statue outside Ohio Stadium means. "Just think about all of your friends, the people that you grew up with, the people you played with, all being able to see that," Griffin said. "But even more importantly, to let young people right here from Columbus, Ohio, come and see that statue. "Maybe it'll make them believe that, 'Hey, I can do that, too.' That's what's so very, very important to me." The numbers and accolades are impressive, though. Griffin has won two Heisman trophies. He's one of only two players to ever participate in four Rose Bowl games. He ran for 5,177 yards with 25 touchdowns in his collegiate career. "They've been playing college football for a long time," OSU coach Ryan Day said. "There's only one two-time Heisman trophy winner. He's sitting right here." Ohio State continued celebrating the 50th anniversary of Griffin's first Heisman trophy during Saturday's season opener. Griffin dotted the "i" for the band during halftime of the 52-6 win over Akron. His statue will also greet players as they walk into Ohio Stadium. Day joked earlier this week that the team will kiss the cleats. But when they see it, Griffin doesn't want them to think about him. As he spoke Friday, his former center and All-American Steve Myers sat between the podium and the statue. It reminded Griffin of other teammates such as 1973 Heisman runner-up John Hicks and tackle Doug France, who cleared lanes for Griffin to collect yards. To Griffin, his statue symbolizes many to don the scarlet and gray. "I want (OSU players) to think about team because that's really what it's all about," Griffin said. "I've got a statue out there, but there's no way I could have done it alone."