Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes to unveil Archie Griffin statue at Ohio Stadium
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Buckeyes to unveil Archie Griffin statue at Ohio Stadium
As one of just two players to ever start in four straight Rose Bowls, legendary Ohio State running back Archie Griffin had his statue and legacy walk in front of the Rose Bowl unveiled this weekend. The statue is the start of the legacy walk, which honors the 19 Heisman Trophy winners to play in that prestigious bowl game.
But Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork revealed after Griffin’s statue was unveiled that Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in college football history, will also be getting a statue at Ohio Stadium. Bjork said the following on social media:
“What a moment for Archie, his family, teammates & @OhioStateFB Archie statue looks amazing. We will unveil the Columbus version on August 30 at the Rotunda. Go Buckeyes”
Griffin, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1974 and 1975, played in the Rose Bowl in every season he played at Ohio State. The Buckeyes were 1-3 in those games, but they beat USC in the 1974 Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1, 1974, by a final score of 42-21.
He scored a touchdown in the Buckeyes’ 2023 spring game and will ‘Dot the i’ for the marching band at the home opener against Akron on Aug. 31.
As part of the 50th anniversary of his first Heisman Trophy win, Griffin is being celebrated across college football this season, especially at Ohio State. Part of that will be a statue reveal in less than two weeks.
Buckeyes name four captains for football season
Ohio State named its captains for the 2024 season Saturday, and they’re all senior leaders who decided on another year with the program instead of heading to the NFL.
The Buckeyes have decided on senior wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, senior running back TreVeyon Henderson, senior defensive end Jack Sawyer and senior linebacker Cody Simon as the team’s four captains for this season.
All four of them had their sights on leadership roles all offseason. Now that hard work and dedication to the football program has earned them captain status.
For all the captains, they’re now squarely in the spotlight both on and off the field. That’s something they all wanted, and Simon is more than happy to lead for one of the most important seasons in program history.
“The guys in the room have to look to someone to see an example,” Simon said, “and I need to be able to lead them vocally, physically and emotionally. That’s what I try to be every day. It’s a tough role, but I love playing football, I love doing it. I love this place, so it’s a great job to have.”
Cody Simon earns ‘Block O’ jersey honor
Ohio State named its fifth-ever recipient of the newest annual tradition Saturday afternoon: senior linebacker Cody Simon is the Block O jersey honoree.
Simon, a fifth-year senior, is one of the biggest leaders on the roster thanks to his work ethic, locker room presence and on-field production. But Simon is so much more than just a good football player who will immensely help this defense in the upcoming campaign. He has worked tirelessly on his leadership throughout his career.
The NCAA approved zero on jersey numbers in April of 2020, and Ohio State decided to make it a privilege to wear the jersey. Buckeyes director of football operations Quinn Tempel drew the comparisons in the zero in the font used for the program’s jerseys to the famed Ohio State Block O logo, making it a fit for an annual tradition.
Counting down
Buckeyes vs. Akron: 12 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 103 days
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