Archie Griffin to dot the 'i' in Script Ohio for Ohio State's season opener against Akron
Archie Griffin is to dot the “i” in the Ohio State marching band’s performance of Script Ohio during halftime of the season-opening football game against Akron on Aug. 31.
The school announced the honor for Griffin, the Buckeyes’ legendary tailback who remains the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, on Thursday. This year marks 50 years since he first captured college football’s most prestigious individual award.
He will join Woody Hayes and Earle Bruce as the only former Ohio State coaches or players to dot the “i,” a longstanding band tradition that began in 1936. Hayes did so in 1983, while Bruce followed in 2016. Other honorees have included comedian Bob Hope in 1978, golfer Jack Nicklaus in 2006, Sen. John and Annie Glenn in 2009, and marching band director emeritus Jon Woods in 2011.
More on Ohio State's dotted ‘i’: Photos: A look at who has dotted the ‘i’ for Script Ohio
Archie Griffin says it is an honor
“When you see someone outside of the band dotting the “i”, you know that it is extraordinary,” Griffin said in a statement. “That is how I look at it. It is a big-time tradition for our band, university, fans and everyone who knows Ohio State.
“To give someone who is not part of the band the opportunity, it must be something special.”
The band will also recognize Griffin during its pregame pep rally at St. John Arena about two and a half hours ahead of that day's 3:30 p.m. kickoff
Griffin, who ran for 5,177 yards and 26 touchdowns from 1972-75, remains the Buckeyes’ all-time leading rusher. He was named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the university’s hall of fame in 1981.
A native of Columbus, Griffin spent two decades working as an administrator in the Buckeyes’ athletic department before he was named the president and CEO of the Ohio State University Alumni Association from 2004-15.
Brody Hyre, a member of the band, will dot the "i" during the performance of Script Ohio leading up to kickoff.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @joeyrkaufman or email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Archie Griffin to dot the 'i' at Ohio State football opener
