Archie Griffin to dot the 'i' at Ohio State's football opener
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One of Ohio State's most honored athletes will be honored in a new way next month.
Archie Griffin, a former Buckeyes running back and the only two-time winner of the Heisman Trophy as the game's top player, will dot the "i" during a Script Ohio performance by the Ohio State Marching Band. It'll happen before the home football game on Aug. 31 against Akron.
Griffin, 69, joins a select group of honorees allowed to dot the "i," including comedian Bob Hope, golfer and Upper Arlington native Jack Nicklaus, and Griffin's coach with the Buckeyes, Woody Hayes. The last person to get to so was another former football coach, Earle Bruce, in 2016.
Photos: Archie Griffin through the years
FILE - In this Dec. 8, 1975, file photo, comedian Bob Hope, right, talks with Ohio State All-America football player and Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin during taping of Hope's Christmas program in New York. For many college football fans of a certain age, their introduction to The Associated Press All-America team came during Bob Hope’s annual TV Christmas special. (AP Photo/File) 
Archie Griffin runs for a touchdown during a ceremonial play during Ohio State's NCAA college football Spring game Saturday, April 15, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) 
Ohio State's running back Archie Griffin and his coach Woody Hayes are all smiles after Griffin is awarded the 1975 Heisman Trophy, on December 2, 1975, in New York City. Griffin, who already won in 1974, is the first player to win the prestigious award twice. (AP Photo) 
Ohio State's running back Archie Griffin smiles as he poses with the 1975 Heisman Trophy, on December 2, 1975, in New York City. Griffin, who already won in 1974, is the first player to win the prestigious award twice. (AP Photo) 
Archie Griffin (45), Ohio State running back carries for College All-Stars as Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Steve Furness begins to bring him down in the second quarter of the All Star game at Chicago's Soldier Field July 23, 1976. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell) 
Bob Knight, right, a member of Ohio State's 1960 national championship basketball team, stands at halfcourt with Archie Griffin after being honored during half time of Ohio State's NCAA college basketball game against Lamar on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) 
President Barack Obama reacts to former Ohio State wide receiver, and pro football hall of famer Cris Carter gets his faced wiped by Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith, far left, as they all stand with former Ohio State running back and two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, right, during a ceremony welcoming the NCAA College Football Playoff National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes, Monday, April 20, 2015, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) 
FILE – In this Oct. 30, 1999, file photo, two-time Heisman Trophy winner and former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin, right, joined by his 7-year-old son Adam, acknowledges cheers after his number was retired during halftime ceremonies at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Former Ohio State linebacker Chris Spielman filed a federal lawsuit Friday, July 14, 2017, against the university on behalf of several of the school's most famous former student-athletes including Griffin, lineman Jim Stillwagon, safety Mike Doss and others, over a marketing program the ex-athletes say used their photos without permission and robbed them of compensation. (AP Photo/Chris Putman, File)
“The opportunity, in Ohio Stadium, to dot the 'i' is a very special honor,” Griffin said in a news release Thursday. “I know that Woody was proud to have had that opportunity, and I am following in his footsteps and am extremely proud of this opportunity."
Griffin, a Columbus native who graduated from Eastmoor High School, played for Ohio State from 1972 to '75, winning the Heisman his final two seasons. He also served as president and CEO of the Ohio State Alumni Association before stepping down in 2015.
Dotting the "i" is the pinnacle of the Marching Band's Script Ohio performance before every home football game. It's typically done by a senior sousaphone player. The group surprised Griffin with the invitation in July, the news release said.
The Akron game is also the season opener for the Buckeyes, who went 11-2 last season and finished No. 9 in the final Associated Press rankings.