This Date In Heisman History: Griffin Becomes 2-Time Heisman Winner

It is a special two weeks for two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin.

The Ohio State running back great became the only two-time Heisman Trophy recipient on this date (Dec. 2) in 1975. On Tuesday (Dec. 3), he will celebrate the 50th anniversary of winning his first Heisman in 1974.

And on Dec. 15, Griffin leads a trio of Heisman winners celebrating anniversaries who will be honored at the 2024 Heisman Legends Brunch, a day after the 2024 Heisman Trophy Ceremony. 

In addition to Griffin’s 50th, the Heisman Trophy will be honoring 1999 Heisman winner Ron Dayne for the 25th anniversary of his award as well as 2014 winner Marcus Mariota on the 10th anniversary of his win.

Additionally, 2024 Heisman Humanitarian Misty Copeland will also be honored.

— Tickets are available for the Heisman Legends Brunch HERE —

Honors for the first of Griffin’s back-to-back anniversary seasons began rolling in well before fall.  

On Aug. 17, the Rose Bowl unveiled a statue of Griffin to honor the two-time Heisman winner. The statue sits outside Tunnel 28 of the historic site and is nearby to what will be a new Legends Walk inside the stadium’s gates that will feature the 19 Heisman Trophy winners who have played in the Rose Bowl Game.

The Rose Bowl also gifted Ohio State a replica of the statue, which was unveiled in Columbus at the Rotunda on Aug. 30.

And on Aug. 31 at the Buckeyes’ season-opener, he became the first Ohio State player to ever “Dot the i” in the Buckeyes’ band pregame performance.

Griffin’s Columbus area high school, Eastmoor Academy (then known as Eastmoor High School), and Columbus City Schools both honored him in October to celebrate the big anniversary.

Excluding the four Rose Bowl games he played in, Griffin finished his NCAA career with 5,177 yards on 845 carries with 26 touchdowns. He remains Ohio State’s career rushing leader and still owns two spots in the Buckeyes’ top 10 charts for most yards in a season and most yards in a game. 

Griffin finished his first Heisman regular season in 1974 with 1,620 yards and 12 scores on 236 attempts, averaging 6.86 per carry. A year later, 

A year later in 1975, Griffin rushed for 1,357 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior, leading Ohio State to an 11-0 record, a No. 1 ranking and a Big Ten title. He was awarded his second Heisman, beating out Chuck Muncie and Ricky Bell.