Bob Griese

Lore & Background

Widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of the 1970s, Griese led the Dolphins to a then record three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, including two Super Bowl victories in VII and VIII, the first of which capped off Miami's undefeated and untied 1972 season, the only such season in NFL history. Griese was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1984, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. He later worked as a television commentator, calling NFL games for NBC Sports and college football for ESPN and ABC Sports. Griese is one of three quarterbacks from Purdue to win the Super Bowl (along with Len Dawson and Drew Brees).

Reader's Guide

Griese was born in Evansville, Indiana, to Ida (Ulrich) and Sylverious 'Slick' Griese. He played baseball, basketball, and football at Evansville's Rex Mundi High School, earning 12 varsity letters. In the summer of 1963, he led his American Legion Baseball team to the American Legion Baseball World Series as the Region 5 champion. He led the basketball team to the No. 1 ranking in Indiana during the 1962–63 season and a record of 19–3.

The Monarchs were 15–5 during his Junior (9–1) and Senior (6–4) seasons, as he was named 1st Team All-City for three seasons. He chose Purdue University, where he majored in management and became a three-sport star. At Purdue, he pitched for the baseball team, played guard on the basketball team, and played quarterback, kicker, and punter for the football team. He was a two-time All-American, finishing at No. 8 in the 1965 Heisman Trophy race and runner-up to Steve Spurrier for the 1966 Heisman Trophy.

He led Purdue's first appearance in the Rose Bowl, where they defeated USC 14–13. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1992. He also won the Big Ten Medal of Honor. Griese was selected by the AFL's Miami Dolphins in the first round as the fourth overall pick in the 1967 Common Draft.

He threw for 2,005 yards and 15 touchdowns his rookie year. He was an AFL All-Star his first two years, and earned AFL All-Star or AFC-NFC Pro Bowl honors in six additional seasons. He led the Dolphins to three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl VII and VIII. In 1971, he was named the Newspaper Enterprise Association NFL Most Valuable Player and won the Jim Thorpe Trophy.

In the fifth game of the 1972 season, he broke his leg and dislocated his ankle. Earl Morrall guided the Dolphins through the rest of the regular season. In the playoffs, Griese relieved Morrall and completed 3 of 5 passes for 70 yards as the Dolphins beat the Steelers 21–17. In Super Bowl VII, he completed 8 of 11 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown.

In 1973, he led the Dolphins to a Super Bowl victory over the Minnesota Vikings 24–7. In 1974, the Dolphins had an 11–3 regular-season record but lost to the Oakland Raiders in the divisional round. In 1975, he suffered a broken toe and was out for the rest of the season. In 1976, the Dolphins finished 6–8. In 1977, he began to wear eyeglasses on the field.

Early Life and Multi-Sport Foundation

Born in Evansville, Indiana, to Ida (Ulrich) and Sylverious "Slick" Griese, Bob lost his father at age ten. He attended Rex Mundi High School, earning 12 varsity letters across baseball, basketball, and football. In the summer of 1963, he led his American Legion team, Funkhouser Post #8, to the Region 5 championship as a pitcher. On the court, he scored 900 points in his career, leading the team to the No. 1 ranking in Indiana during the 1962–63 season with a 19–3 record, though they fell short of the sectional title against Evansville Bosse. In football, the Monarchs went 15–5 during his junior (9–1) and senior (6–4) seasons, earning him 1st Team All-City honors for three consecutive years.

Collegiate Dominance at Purdue

At Purdue University, where he majored in management in the Krannert School of Management, Griese became a Sigma Chi member and a three-sport star. He pitched for the baseball team (going 12–1 one season), played guard on basketball, and served as quarterback, kicker, and punter for football. There are at least four games where he was responsible for all of Purdue's points. His passing improved under head coach Jack Mollenkopf and QB coach Bob DeMoss. A two-time All-American, he finished eighth in the 1965 Heisman Trophy race and was the runner-up to Steve Spurrier in 1966. In a junior year upset against top-ranked Notre Dame, he completed 19 of 22 passes. He led Purdue to its first Rose Bowl appearance, defeating USC 14–13. As of the start of the 2016 NCAA season, he ranks #10 in all-time scoring at Purdue.

The Perfect Season and Super Bowl Glory

Griese was drafted by the Dolphins in 1967 as the fourth overall pick. He started as a backup until John Stofa's injury in the first game of that season. After three tough seasons, Don Shula arrived in 1970. In 1972, Griese suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle against San Diego. Earl Morrall led the unbeaten regular season, but Griese returned for the playoffs to beat Pittsburgh 21–17 with a 3-of-5 performance. He completed 8 of 11 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl VII, defeating Washington 14–7 to cap the perfect season. The team won its second consecutive title in Super Bowl VIII against Minnesota Vikings (24–7). In 1973, they reached a third straight Super Bowl but lost.

Legacy and Life Beyond the Gridiron

Griese was named the 1971 Newspaper Enterprise Association NFL MVP. He earned All-Star or Pro Bowl honors in eight seasons. After retiring at age 35 following a shoulder injury in 1980, he worked as a commentator for NBC Sports (NFL) and ESPN/ABC Sports (college). Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990, he is one of three Purdue quarterbacks to win a Super Bowl. He was also inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1992.