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Michael Griffin (American football) facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Michael Griffin II.
Quick facts for kids
Michael Griffin
Michael Griffin
Griffin with the Carolina Panthers in 2016
No. 33, 22
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1985-01-04) January 4, 1985 (age 40)
Austin, Texas, U.S.
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school: Bowie (Austin)
College: Texas (2003–2006)
NFL Draft: 2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 19
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-Pro (2010)
  • 2× Pro Bowl (2008, 2010)
  • PFWA All-Rookie Team (2007)
  • BCS national champion (2005)
  • Second-team All-American (2006)
  • First-team All-Big 12 (2006)
  • Second-team All-Big 12 (2005)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 803
Sacks: 7.0
Forced fumbles: 12
Fumble recoveries: 6
Interceptions: 25
Defensive touchdowns: 1
Player stats at PFR

Michael Devin Griffin (born January 4, 1985) is a former American football player. He played as a safety for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Texas Longhorns. The Tennessee Titans picked him in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft.

Growing Up and High School Sports

Michael Griffin grew up in Austin, Texas. He went to Bowie High School. There, he was a star player in football for two years. He played both running back and defensive back.

In 2002, he was named the best offensive player in his district. He ran for over 1,100 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He also caught passes and made tackles on defense. As a junior, he rushed for 946 yards and 14 touchdowns. In his last two years at Bowie, he ran for over 2,100 yards.

Besides football, Michael was also good at other sports. He played basketball as a guard and forward. He also ran track and field. He was very fast, running the 100-meter dash in 10.64 seconds.

Experts saw Michael as a top football recruit. He was ranked among the best cornerbacks in the country. In 2002, he decided to play college football for the Texas Longhorns. He chose Texas over other big schools like Baylor and Oklahoma.

College Football Journey

Michael Griffin started playing for the Texas Longhorns football team in 2003. He played in 50 games during his college career. He started 28 of those games. He made 368 tackles, which is eighth-most in school history.

In his first year (2003), he played in all 12 games. He made 65 tackles and helped stop opponents. In 2004, he continued to play well. He had 49 tackles and blocked two punts.

In 2005, Michael moved to free safety. He led his team with 124 tackles. He also set a school record by blocking four kicks. He helped Texas win the national championship in the 2006 Rose Bowl. He made a key interception near the goal line in that game.

As a senior in 2006, he was named an All-American. He again led the team with 126 tackles. He also forced four fumbles and made four interceptions.

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+3⁄4 in
(1.82 m)		 202 lb
(92 kg)		 33+1⁄8 in
(0.84 m)		 10+1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		 4.47 s 1.60 s 2.63 s 4.10 s 6.60 s 36 in
(0.91 m)		 10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		 16 reps
All values from NFL Combine and Pro Day

Playing in the NFL

Tennessee Titans Years

Michael Griffin was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2007. He started as a safety. In his first season, he had three interceptions and 54 tackles.

Michael Griffin Pro Bowl cropped
Griffin playing in the 2009 Pro Bowl

In 2008, his second year, he had a great season. He made 75 tackles and seven interceptions. He even scored a touchdown by returning an interception. This amazing performance earned him his first trip to the 2009 Pro Bowl.

In 2009, he continued to be a strong player. He had 77 tackles and helped the Titans finish the season strong. He played all 16 games for the third year in a row.

His fourth season in 2010 was also excellent. He recorded 108 tackles and four interceptions. He was chosen for his second Pro Bowl that year. He played all 16 games for the fourth straight year.

In 2011, Michael played all 16 games again. He had 75 tackles and two interceptions. In 2012, he signed a new contract with the Titans. He continued his strong play with 79 tackles and four interceptions. He played all 16 games for the sixth season in a row. He even had a career-high 18 tackles in one game.

In 2013, he played 14 games. He still had 82 tackles and three forced fumbles. In 2014, he had a career-high 112 tackles and three sacks. He also made two interceptions.

Michael Griffin (American football)
Griffin playing for the Titans in 2013

In 2015, his ninth season, he recorded 101 tackles. The Titans released him in February 2016. This ended his long career with the team.

Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers

Michael signed with the Minnesota Vikings in March 2016. However, he was later released before the season started.

He then signed with the Carolina Panthers in September 2016. He played 10 games for them that season.

Retirement

On May 6, 2018, Michael Griffin officially retired from professional football. He signed a special one-day contract to retire as a member of the Tennessee Titans.

Flag Football

In 2018, Michael also played in the American Flag Football League. He was part of a team led by former quarterback Michael Vick.

Career Statistics

College Stats

Regular season statistics Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
Season Team GP GS Comb Total Ast Sck Tfl PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF FR FR YDS TDs
2003 Texas 12 2 65 51 14 2.0 5.0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 3 1 0 0
2004 Texas 12 1 49 37 12 1.0 2.0 3 1 0 0.0 0 0 1 1 0 0
2005 Texas 13 12 124 67 57 0.0 4.0 8 3 0 0.0 0 0 1 3 0 0
2006 Texas 13 13 126 79 47 1.0 3.5 10 4 41 10.3 16 0 4 2 0 0
Totals 50 28 364 234 130 4.0 14.5 23 8 41 5.1 16 0 9 7 0 0

NFL Stats

Year Team GP COMB TOTAL AST SACK FF FR FR YDS INT IR YDS AVG IR LNG TD PD
2007 TEN 16 54 41 13 0.0 1 0 0 3 3 1 3 0 7
2008 TEN 16 75 55 20 1.0 1 1 0 7 172 25 83 1 11
2009 TEN 16 77 57 20 1.0 2 2 0 1 3 3 3 0 7
2010 TEN 16 108 86 22 0.0 2 2 20 4 50 13 28 0 12
2011 TEN 16 75 59 16 0.0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 7
2012 TEN 16 79 60 19 1.0 2 0 0 4 59 15 33 0 4
2013 TEN 14 82 61 21 0.0 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 4
2014 TEN 16 112 85 27 3.0 0 0 0 2 12 6 12 0 5
2015 TEN 15 101 66 35 1 0 0 0 1 29 29 29 0 3
2016 CAR 10 30 18 12 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 151 793 588 205 7.0 12 6 0 25 299 12 83 1 60

Key

  • GP: games played
  • COMB: combined tackles
  • TOTAL: total tackles
  • AST: assisted tackles
  • SACK: sacks
  • FF: forced fumbles
  • FR: fumble recoveries
  • FR YDS: fumble return yards
  • INT: interceptions
  • IR YDS: interception return yards
  • AVG IR: average interception return
  • LNG: longest interception return
  • TD: interceptions returned for touchdown
  • PD: passes defensed

Life Outside Football

Michael Griffin was a good student in college. He studied youth and community development. He graduated from the University of Texas in 2017.

He has a twin brother named Marcus Griffin. Marcus also played defensive back for the University of Texas. Their parents, Ronald and Mae, both served in the United States Armed Services.

In 2010, Michael joined a special online community. It was for NFL players, coaches, and fans.

Michael is married to Shantel Spence. They have two daughters, Mya and Mikenzie. He also has a son named Michael Braylen.

Michael Griffin also owns a business. He co-owns Gigi's Cupcakes in Austin, Texas, with another former NFL player, Brian Orakpo.

See also

List of Texas Longhorns football All-Americans

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