COLUMBUS, Ohio — A statue of former Ohio State football running back Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in college football, was unveiled at the university Friday morning.
The unveiling marks the 50th anniversary of Griffin's first Heisman Trophy.
Ohio State University President Ted Carter, Athletics Director Ross Bjork, head coach Ryan Day, Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation President Dedan Brozino and Griffin delivered remarks before the statue was revealed.
Watch the ceremony:
“There is one group that has stood strong for me that I want to honor, and that is the fans of Buckeye Nation,” Griffin said during the ceremony. “I've always felt like winning the Heisman at Ohio State belonged as much to you as it did to me. I want you to know how much I appreciate the conversations, the meals and the moments that we've shared. I appreciate that you still remember me 50 years later."
The event Friday comes less than two weeks after a replica statue of Griffin was unveiled at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.
Griffin’s statue marks the fifth to be placed on the stadium’s property to represent key moments and people in the venue’s history. A Legacy Walk was also created adjacent to the unveiled statue to highlight the 19 Heisman Trophy winners who have played in the Rose Bowl Game.
Griffin was born and raised in Columbus. He signed with Ohio State after he graduated from Eastmoor High and led the Buckeyes to a 40-5-1 record and four Big Ten titles between 1972 and 1975.
He then started in four consecutive Rose Bowls — the only player to do so at the time. He was also a three-time first-team All-American and won two Heisman trophies, one in 1974 and the other in 1975.
After college graduation, Griffin was a first-round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals. He played eight years of professional football, before returning to Columbus and joining the staff at Ohio State.
Griffin will dot the "i" in Script Ohio on Aug. 31 during the halftime of the Ohio State vs. Akron game. Griffin is being recognized for his service to the university and his longtime support of The Ohio State University Marching Band.