Cedric Griffin

Lore & Background

Griffin played football at Oliver Wendell Holmes High School in San Antonio, Texas. He was an All-State Class 5A defensive back in 2000. He also played as a wide receiver and returned kicks and punts. In college, after redshirting, he played in all 51 games over four years, starting 44. He recorded 271 tackles, broke up 32 passes, and intercepted three passes. In 2002, he became the first UT player to return a blocked field goal for a touchdown. As a senior on the 2005 national championship team, he made 8 tackles in the title game. He was drafted by the Vikings in the second round (48th overall). He re-signed with the Vikings in 2009 to a five-year, $25 million contract. He tore his ACL in the 2009 NFC Championship and later tore the ACL in his other knee in 2010. The Vikings terminated his contract on March 10, 2012. He signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Washington Redskins on March 16, 2012. He was suspended four games in 2012 for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances (Adderall).

Reader's Guide

Cedric Griffin is a former NFL cornerback known for his time with the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins. He was a key contributor on the Vikings' 2009 NFC Championship run. His career was marked by two ACL tears and a suspension for performance-enhancing substances.

Did You Know?

• Griffin was the first Texas Longhorn to return a blocked field goal for a touchdown, doing so in 2002 against Tulane.
• He was selected by the Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft, the highest-drafted defensive back by Minnesota since Orlando Thomas in 1995.
• Griffin tore his ACL in both knees: the left in the 2009 NFC Championship and the right in a 2010 game against the New York Jets.