Rose Bowl to Unveil Statue Honoring Archie Griffin, College Football’s Only Two-Time Heisman Winner

The Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena will dedicate a statue celebrating Archie Griffin, college football’s only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 11 a.m. The event, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Griffin’s first Heisman win in 1974, will be open to the public. Griffin also won the Heisman Trophy in 1975.

Griffin, a member of both the Rose Bowl Game and College Football Halls of Fame, is one of just two players to have started in four consecutive Rose Bowl Games.

“I am humbled to have a statue in my honor at the Rose Bowl Stadium, one of the most prestigious stadiums in America,” Griffin said. “I feel blessed to have played in four Rose Bowl Games.”

The statue will be located adjacent to the East bridge near Tunnel 28, in view of the iconic Rose Bowl marquee sign. It will serve as a gateway to the Court of Champions, the stadium’s most visited location.

Alongside Griffin’s statue, a Legends Walk will be created to highlight the 19 Heisman Trophy winners who have played in the Rose Bowl Game. The statue and Legends Walk were supported by several donors, with donations provided to the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation. Jay Schottenstein, Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of American Eagle Outfitters, and wife Jeanie symbolically provided the project’s closing gift to finish the project.

“Our family has known Archie Griffin for many years,” said Jay Schottenstein. “Not only is he one of the greatest college football players of all time, he is a great person who throughout his life has made significant and long-lasting contributions to his community and to The Ohio State University.”

“Archie Griffin is one of the greatest players in college football history, and we applaud the Rose Bowl Stadium for erecting his statue,” said Steve Hatchell, President and CEO of the National Football Foundation.

The Ohio State University will also receive a full-size replica of the statue. “Knowing Archie, he would want a statue for all the Heisman Trophy winners along the ‘Legacy Walk,'” said Gene Smith, The Ohio State University’s Athletics Director.

Griffin rushed for 1,428 yards in the regular season as a sophomore, 1,620 as a junior, and 1,357 as a senior. He set an NCAA rushing record of 31 consecutive 100-yard games, and his career rushing total of 5,177 yards was an NCAA record at the time.

The Rose Bowl Stadium, along with The Ohio State University and more than 20 other historic venues, is part of the Historic Stadium Caucus. Formed in September 2023, the Caucus aims to preserve the legacy and protect the integrity of treasured venues across America.

“Archie Griffin’s spirit, determination, and the way that he approached the game (and now life) is something that we can all learn from and appreciate,” said Dedan Brozino, President of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation.