COLUMBUS, OH – In a breathtaking act of devotion and generosity, college football icon Archie Griffin—the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in history—has donated a monumental $12.2 million to Ohio State University’s new football stadium initiative. The announcement, which came during a celebratory press event on campus, marks one of the most significant personal contributions ever made by a former NCAA athlete to their alma mater.
Griffin, a Buckeye through and through, said the donation is about giving back to a university and community that gave him everything. “Ohio State shaped my life—on and off the field,” Griffin said. “This program gave me a platform, a purpose, and a family. This gift is my way of paying that love forward.”
The donation will directly support the university’s cutting-edge stadium renovation and expansion project, aimed at upgrading fan amenities, expanding capacity, and modernizing training and recovery facilities for student-athletes. The initiative, set to break ground later this year, is part of Ohio State’s larger athletic excellence campaign and is projected to total more than $225 million in funding.
Griffin’s gift is the largest individual donation ever made by a former Ohio State athlete and is expected to fund the construction of a new state-of-the-art performance wing that will be named in his honor—The Archie Griffin Athletic Excellence Center. The new facility will feature elite training equipment, wellness technology, nutrition services, and space to foster academic success and leadership development among athletes.
University President Kristina M. Johnson praised Griffin’s unshakable commitment. “Archie Griffin is not just a Buckeye legend—he’s a national treasure,” she said. “His generosity reflects the values he’s embodied his entire life: excellence, humility, leadership, and heart. This gift will inspire generations to come.”
Griffin, who rushed for 5,589 yards during his college career from 1972 to 1975 and helped lead the Buckeyes to four Big Ten titles and multiple Rose Bowl appearances, remains an enduring symbol of Ohio State greatness.
Current head coach Ryan Day added, “Our players look up to Archie. He’s a reminder of what it means to be a Buckeye—selfless, determined, and loyal. This gift goes beyond bricks and mortar—it strengthens our spirit.”
As Ohio State gears up for a new era, one thing is certain: the heart of the Buckeyes beats louder than ever—thanks to Archie Griffin.
