One of college football's all-time great players will participate in one of college football's all-time great traditions this fall.
On Thursday, Ohio State revealed two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin will dot the "i" in Script Ohio at halftime of the Buckeyes' season opener against Akron.
Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in history, will dot the i in Script Ohio on August 31 when @ohiostatefb plays Akron!@Ohiostathletics
— The Ohio State University Marching Band (@TBDBITL) July 25, 2024
: https://t.co/yknSCmvCCA pic.twitter.com/WohGUw4h9f
"The opportunity, in Ohio Stadium, to dot the 'i' is a very special honor," Griffin said in an Ohio State press release. "I know that Woody (Hayes) was proud to have had that opportunity, and I am following in his footsteps and am extremely proud of this opportunity."
In 88 years of Script Ohio, 15 non-band members have dotted the 'i': Ohio State president Novice Fawcett (1971), band composer Richard Heine (1974), comedian Bob Hope (1978), band director Jack Evans (1979), band director Paul Droste (1983), Hayes (1983), ticket director Robert Ries (1985), boxer Buster Douglas (1990), Ohio State president Gordon Gee (1995), golfer Jack Nicklaus (2006), Sen. John Glenn and Annie Glenn (2009), entrepreneur Les Wexner (2011), marching band director emeritus Jon R. Woods (2011) and Earle Bruce (2016).
On Aug. 31, Griffin will receive the honor, considered the greatest the band can extend to a nonmember.
“As a sousaphone player, dotting the “i” is the highest honor one can achieve,” Ohio State marching band member Nick Pisanelli said. “It’s a dream many of us have had for years, one that we work hard for each day as a member of this band. It takes unrelenting dedication to finally be able to live that dream. ... Archie Griffin embodies that same spirit, and on the 50th anniversary of his first Heisman Trophy, we felt it was an easy decision to ask him to share this honor with us. He’s living proof that hard work, determination, and passion can take you anywhere, and we are so excited for him to join us as we all live out our dream.”
Ohio State marching band director Christopher Hoch said Griffin earned his selection because he has dedicated his life to Ohio State athletics.
“We are super excited and honored to have him be a part of this tradition,” Hoch said. “While I didn’t have the opportunity to watch Archie play at Ohio State, I remember my dad talking about him as a legend and how great of a person he was. We are looking forward to August 31 and being able to watch Archie have his well-deserved moment with the band.”
In four years as an Ohio State running back (1972-75), Griffin rushed for 5,589 yards and 25 touchdowns. His accolades include two Heisman Trophies, one Maxwell Award, three All-American accolades (two unanimous) and three first-team All-Big Ten selections. Griffin remains Ohio State's career rushing yards leader and career leader in rushing yards per game (121.5). He also holds the NCAA record for most consecutive 100-yard games with 31 in a row from 1973-75.
Following a seven-year NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, Griffin later returned to Ohio State in 1994 and worked the next 19 years as an assistant athletic director for the Buckeyes. He also served as the president of the Ohio State Alumni Association for 11 years.
