Michael Griffin (American football)

Griffin was immediately thrust into the action, appearing in all 12 games at strong safety and starting at nickel back against Washington State and Texas Tech. He finished seventh on the team with 65 tackles (51 of them solo), adding two sacks, five stops for losses and three pressures. In addition, he recovered a fumble and caused three others while also batting down two passes.

In Griffin's sophomore season, 2004, he played behind Michael Huff at strong safety, earning his only start against Michigan in the 2005 Rose Bowl. He produced 49 tackles (37 of them solo) with a sack, two stops behind the line of scrimmage and a pair of pressures. He blocked two punts, picked off a pass and deflected three others. He also caused and recovered a fumble.

With Michael Huff entrenched at strong safety, Texas' coaches shifted Griffin to free safety for his junior season in 2005. A starter in 12 of 13 games, he was a second-team All-Big 12 Conference choice, as he led the team with 124 tackles (67 of them solo), including four stops for losses and five pressures. He tied the school single-season record with four blocked kicks and had three interceptions with eight pass break-ups. He recovered three fumbles and caused another. Griffin intercepted a pass at the goal line in Texas' 41-38 Rose Bowl win against USC for the national championship.

As a senior in 2006, Griffin earned second-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 accolades. He again led the team from his free safety position, collecting a career-high 126 tackles (79 of them solo) with a sack, 3.5 stops for losses and three pressures. He caused four fumbles, recovered two others and blocked two kicks. He deflected 10 passes and had four interceptions.

On May 4, head coach Jeff Fisher stated that Griffin would be moved from safety to cornerback due to Adam Pacman Jones year long suspension, however later on in the season Griffin was moved back to safety after depth at the cornerback position developed better than expected and starting free safety Calvin Lowry was unable to prevent big plays. Griffin finished the season with three interceptions and one forced fumble (all of which came at the safety position), as well as fifty-four total tackles.

Griffin playing in the 2009 Pro Bowl.

In Griffin's second NFL season he finished with 75 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 7 interceptions and 11 pass deflections while playing all 16 games. In a Week 16 31-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Griffin had 2 interceptions returning one for a pick-six.[4] Griffin went on to be named to his first Pro Bowl.

In Griffin's third season he finished with 77 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception and 7 pass deflections while once again playing all 16 games. Griffin helped the Titans finished the final ten games 8-2 after the team lost the first 6 games.[5]

Griffin's fourth season saw him record 108 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries, 4 interceptions and 12 pass deflections while playing all 16 games for the fourth consecutive year. Griffin had a span of 4 weeks (10/3-10/24) where he had an interception each game. Griffin also had 3 games where he recorded more than 10 tackles. Griffin was selected to his 2nd Pro bowl along with Kansas City's Chiefs Saftie Eric Berry as Alternates.[6]

Griffin entered his fifth NFL season in a contract year. Griffin once again played all 16 games. Griffin finished his contract year with 75 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 interceptions and 7 pass deflections[7] On November 18, 2011 Griffin was fined $7,500 for a late hit against the Carolina Panthers.[8] On March 5, 2012 Griffin was assigned the franchise tag worth $6.2 million.[9] On June 19, 2012 Griffin signed a 5-year $35 million contract.

In Griffin's first season since signing his new contract he had 79 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 sack, 4 interceptions and 4 pass deflections while playing all 16 games for a sixth season in a row. In a week 2 game against the New England Patriots, Griffin record a career-high 18 tackles.[10] On November 9, 2012, Griffin was fined $20,000 for his horse-collar tackle on Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte.[11]

Griffin playing for the Titans in 2013.

In the 2013 NFL season Griffin played 14 games and for the first time in his seven-year career missed a game. Griffin still finished the season with 82 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 1 interception and 4 pass deflections.[12]

In Griffin's 2014 Season he had a career-high 112 tackles and 3 sacks. Griffin also recorded 2 interceptions and 5 pass deflections while playing all 16 games.[13]

In Griffin's ninth season he recorded 101 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception and 3 pass deflections.[14] On February 9, 2016 Griffin was released ending his 9-year stint with the Titans.[15]

Griffin signed with the Minnesota Vikings on March 9, 2016.[16] On September 3, 2016, he was placed on injured reserve.[17] On September 8, he was released from the Vikings' injured reserve.

On September 27, 2016, Griffin signed with the Carolina Panthers.[18]

On May 6, 2018, he signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Tennessee Titans.[19]

In 2018, Griffin played as a member of the Roadrunners led by former quarterback, Michael Vick, in the American Flag Football League.[20]

[21]

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