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Chat Reel: Archie Griffin

Doesn't rule out another two-time Heisman winner

Two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin feels that some day, an exceptional player may be able to repeat his feat.

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's chat with two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin. Thank you for joining us!
Archie Griffin: Okay. Nice to be here.

From Avi Goldman in Columbus, Ohio: Do you think someone can win the Heisman Trophy twice ever again?
Archie Griffin: I do feel like there will be someone who will win it twice. He will have to win it in his redshirt freshman year and then as a sophomore or as a sophomore and junior. I think it will be difficult for someone to win it as a junior, then come back as a senior because the money in the NFL to too great for those guys to pass up.

From yo: What do you think about the Heisman race -- should age play a role in the decision of who wins?
Archie Griffin: Age should not play a role in regards to who wins it. You know, a person who has eligibility has not played any more years in college football than anyone else. So age should not matter. If that question is regarding Chris Weinke, I think it is a credit to him that he made the switch from baseball to football. He hasn't played any more college football than anyone else. It's not like he played professionally and came back to college.

From ColumbusJayhawks: Why not as a junior and senior? There have been players of super-high caliber who have hung around to win it before. Do you think Bo Jackson would have won it twice if he hadn't gotten hurt?
Archie Griffin: Bo Jackson did win it his senior year. You might be thinking about Keith Byers, who had a shot at winning it his junior year, but he would have won it his senior year, probably, if he hadn't gotten hurt. But that is part of the game. It's not a non-contact game.

From Marty: Hello Archie, Describe what it was like winning the Heisman Trophy Award twice?
Archie Griffin: It was a wonderful feeling, especially as a junior because I really didn't think I would win it. As a matter of fact, I was very overwhelmed when I gave my speech -- I actually cried. Then winning it the second time, it was even more overwhelming, because I didn't think they would give it to me twice. But I owe a lot of credit to the guys I played with -- they are the ones who made it happen for me.

From Brent Ashbaugh in Springfield, Ill.: Archie, I grew up one of the biggest Ohio State fans you could ever imagine growing up in southern Ohio. I remember things about games from 25 years ago and I wandered if you could put into words your feelings at the time of Woody Hayes' demise. I still look back and have good feelings toward Woody and wandered what your feelings might be.
Archie Griffin: I'm glad to hear that he has great feeling about Woody, because that is the way he should be remembered. Woody was a great coach, but he was an even better person. He was really concerned with his players, on and off the field. So I am glad he feels that way about Woody. It was an isolated incident that happened against Clemson in the Gator Bowl -- he shouldn't be remembered that way.

From Josh Mackley in Columbus, Ohio: Hey Archie... OSU student, marching band member, and football fan here. Have any thoughts of coaching entered your mind recently? ;)
Archie Griffin: Not recently. (laughs). A long time ago, I was offered to coach the running backs at OSU, but I decided to go the administrative route and that is what I am doing now at OSU.

From Would: IF you could change one thing regarding your career what would it be?
Archie Griffin: I really don't think I would change anything. Even though some experiences weren't the best, you always learn from them. The mistakes I had made in the past helped me not to make them again in the future.

From jbuchhol: When you were at Eastmoor High School, what football players did you try and emulate?
Archie Griffin: Oh, when I was at Eastmoor, the guy I always looked up to was Jim Brown. Ever since I was a small kid, I liked the way Jim Brown ran the ball. I played fullback like he did and I tried to run like he did. Sometimes I would run over people and sometimes I would run around them. And I even got up off the ground slow like Jim Brown. :)

From Brian Bonnett in Columbus, Ohio: A lot of people outside of the Ohio State community don't know this, but you're at the head of the table of the Buckeyes' greatest football family. I think the count is now up to five, including, most recently, your son, Andre. The other three that wore the Scarlet & Gray are your brothers, Ray and Duncan, and your nephew, Kevin. Will there be others? Go Bucks!
Archie Griffin: Good question. There are some nephews who are playing in the Columbus area right now. One is in high school and I have a young son who is nine. He isn't playing yet, I am trying to wait till turns 10. But he keeps pushing me to play. I don't know if they will play at OSU, but I am sure they will play somewhere.

From Jacques Watters in Miami, Fla.: I'm an OSU alum and getting tired of all the 'Nole, 'Canes and Gator talk down here, PLEASE get the Bucks going and help me out!
Archie Griffin: That is the plan. We plan to get things back on track and hopefully we will get it started with this Outback Bowl. And Go Bucs!

From Adam: Archie, I am one of the biggest Ohio State fans even though I am only 11. I went to the Michigan game this year. Describe what it was like to play Michigan.
Archie Griffin: It was great playing Michigan. When I was recruited, that was one of the reasons I came to OSU -- to play Michigan. I'm sure it was the same at Michigan. Their players are recruited to play against Ohio State. It was a wonderful feeling, always a full house, always a hard-fought game (but clean) and it was wonderful.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Archie Griffin. Thanks for joining us.
Archie Griffin: Well thanks you for having me!

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