Ohio State Football: It’s time for Archie Griffin to get a statue

The Ohio State football program decided to give one of their greatest Buckeyes of all-time a special moment this past spring when Archie Griffon scored one more rushing touchdown in The Shoe during the 2023 Spring Game.

It was a moment for those of us who were in attendance that we will not soon forget. Griffin, who is currently 68 years of age, still has a little giddy-up as he took the handoff and scurried down the right sideline for the Ohio State offense’s first score of the afternoon.

“That was fun watching him (Archie Griffin) there,” Ryan Day recalled with the media after the Spring Game. “I think next year is the 50th anniversary of his first Heisman, so we wanted to make sure he came back for that one. The offense needed a little help at that point too, right around the 30-yard line. So, we called into the bullpen for (number) 45.”

Griffin is still the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in college football history, winning the prestigious awards following the 1974 and 1975 seasons. He still holds Ohio State’s all-time career rushing record with 924 carries for 5,589 yards.

He has served the University beyond the field both as a positive advocate for the University as a spokesperson, historian, and even as Assistant Athletic Director for a few years along with being the President and CEO of the school’s Alumni Association.

Needless to say, Archie loves Ohio State and Buckeye Nation, and Buckeye Nation loves Archie Griffin. Now it is time to memorialize this man, his greatness, and everything he has done for the University, it’s football program, it’s Athletic Department, and it’s fanbase. It’s time to erect a statue of Archie outside of The Shoe.

There are two statues of Woody Hayes on campus. A large one outside of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, and another more life-sized version on Lane Avenue. Ohio State has given numerous statues to Brutus on and around campus as well.

I know it’s not Ohio State’s style to litter their campus with athletic figures, especially after the lawsuit between former player Chris Spielman and the University regarding the university’s use of his name and image without consent.

Memorializing a player’s greatness feels different. There is only one two-time Heisman Trophy winner in the world, and he played for Ohio State. And even if someone were to do the same, such as Caleb Williams, who has a chance to follow suit this season, no one else will ever be the first. That honor belongs to Archie.

I understand that there will be a debate as to where to place the statue, but that is a debate for a different time. For now, let’s all agree that this needs to be done. There is no one else associated with the Ohio State football program in a way that deserves this honor more.

Griffin, despite all his accomplishments, is an extremely humble and down-to-earth human being. I’m sure he wouldn’t campaign for this on his own behalf. So, he is going to need Buckeye Nation to do it for him. If any of you ever have the opportunity to do so, put a bug in Gene Smith’s ear. Possibly one of the more influential donors could make the request as well.

However it gets accomplished is fine by me, but the only thing I desperately want to see is Archie and his family receive this honor while he is healthy enough to enjoy it. With the 50th anniversary of Archie’s back-to-back Heisman trophy wins quickly approaching, now is that time.