Robert Griffith

Infobox NFLretired


|position=Safety
number=24, 34
birthdate=birth date and age|1970|11|30
Lanham, Maryland
deathdate=
debutyear=1994
finalyear=2006
college=San Diego State
teams=
* Minnesota Vikings (1994-2001)
* Cleveland Browns (2002-2004)
* Arizona Cardinals (2005-2006)
stat1label=INT
stat1value=27
stat2label=INT yards
stat2value=230
stat3label=Sacks
stat3value=8.5
nfl=GRI448524
highlights=
* 1x Pro Bowl selection (2000)
* 2x All-Pro selection (1998, 1999)
HOF=

Robert Otis Griffith (born November 30, 1970 in Lanham, Maryland) is a former American football strong safety in the National Football League. He played thirteen seasons in the league, mostly for the Minnesota Vikings from 1994 to 2001. He also played three seasons with the Cleveland Browns, and two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, In 2008 he retired as a member of the Minnesota Vikings

High school and college

Griffith played high school football and |track at Mount Miguel High School in Spring Valley, California (near San Diego) where he earned All-CIF honors. Griffith played college football at San Diego State University where one of his teammates was future St Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk. He was a second-team All-WAC selection in 1992. After going undrafted in the 1994 NFL Draft, Griffith signed with the Vikings as a undrafted free agent.

NFL career

In his first two seasons, he was mostly used as a backup and as a special teams player before having a breakthrough year in the 1996 season. That season he made four interceptions for 66 yards, and made 96 tackles. He was named All-Pro by "Pro Football Weekly", and was second team Associated Press All-Pro in the 1998 season after having a career high of five interceptions, finishing fifth in the AFC. He made the Pro Bowl after the 1999 season after starting in all sixteen games, making three interception and 129 tackles. After eight seasons with the Vikings, Griffth signed a free agent contract with the Browns during the 2002 offseason, where he became one of the most experienced members in a young defense. Pasquarelli, Len [http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1589363.html Griffith guarantees he'll be ready for season opener] "ESPN", 3 August 2003. Retrieved on 15 September 2006.] He started in 44 games with the Browns earning six interceptions and 408 tackles in his three seasons. He led them in tackles with 157 in the 2004 season. He was released on February 27, 2005 by recently hired head coach, Romeo Crennel, who was trying to rebuild his team after four wins, 12 losses season. [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2001999 Griffith led team in tackles] "Associated Press", 28 February 2005. Retrieved on 15 September 2006.] He signed a two contract with the Cardinals, where last season he played in all sixteen games, making 66 tackles and one interception for eleven yards. On March 2, 2007, he was cut by the Cardinals. In 2008 he signed a contract to retire as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

He has modeled for Bad Boy clothing in an ad that appeared in "Rolling Stone", "Vibe" and "The Source" magazines and appeared in Sports Illustrated for Women 2000 Swimsuit Issue. Griffith began the Robert Griffith Foundation during the 1998 offseason which provides college scholarships for at risk and disadvantaged youth in San Diego.

Currently, Griffith and former NFL Linebacker Akbar Gbaja-Biamila join Jim Laslavic as co-hosts on Laslavic's weekly show called "Football Night in San Diego" on San Diego's CBS Channel 8.

References

External links

* [http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/3539 Griffith NFL.com profile]
* [http://www.nflplayers.com/players/player.aspx?id=21390 NFL players profile]