The only two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin will take his place in one of the most memorable traditions in college athletics as he dots the “i” in Script Ohio on August 31 during halftime of the home opener game against Akron. Griffin is being recognized for his service to the university and for his longtime support of its Marching Band.

“The opportunity, in Ohio Stadium, to dot the “i” is a very special honor,” says Griffin. “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.”

Traditionally, the i-dotter is an an honor given to a senior sousaphone member of TBDBTL, Ohio States Marching band.

“As a sousaphone player, dotting the “i” is the highest honor one can achieve. It’s a dream many of us have for years, one that we work hard for each day as a member of this band. It takes unrelenting dedication to finally be able to live that dream,” says Nick Pisanelli, senior sousaphone player, who is dotting the “i” during the Ohio State vs. Nebraska game this year. “Archie Griffin embodies that same spirit, and on the 50th anniversary of his first Heisman Trophy, we felt it was an easy decision to ask him to share this honor with us. He’s living proof that hard work, determination, and passion can take you anywhere, and we are so excited for him to join us as we all live out our dream.”

Griffin was visited by student band memebers at the Woody Hayes Atheltic Center to surprise him with the invitation.

The recognition, considered the greatest the band can extend to a nonmember, is being presented by the “i-dotters” — the senior sousaphone members of the Ohio State Marching Band. The students visited Griffin at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center early in July to surprise him with the invitation.

Griffin rushed for a school-record 5,589 yards on 924 carries and scored 26 rushing touchdowns in his career at Ohio State. His 31 consecutive 100-yard games are still an NCAA record. In addition to two Heisman Trophies, Griffin also has a pair of Silver Footballs, which are presented annually by the Chicago Tribune to the Big Ten’s MVP. After a seven-year NFL football career, Griffin returned to Ohio State and served as the president and CEO of The Ohio State University Alumni Association, as an assistant athletic director, and as Ohio State’s senior advisor for advancement before retiring.

The invitation to be an honorary i-dotter has only been extended to a select few individuals over the history of Script Ohio. Previous honorary i-dotters have included comedian Bob Hope (1978), Hayes (1983), golfer Jack Nicklaus (2006) Sen. John and Annie Glenn (2009), and Marching Band director emeritus Jon R. Woods (2011). The most recent was former football coach Earle Bruce, who dotted the “i” in 2016.