Bob Griese

Bob Griese Speaker Biography

Motivational speaker & quarterback Bob Griese was born on February 3, 1945 in Evansville, Indiana. He attended Purdue University, where he was a two-time All-American with the Purdue Boilermakers, as well as runner-up for the 1966 Heisman Trophy. Griese led Purdue to the 1966 Big Ten championship and the school's first appearance in the Rose Bowl, where they defeated USC 14-13.

In 1967, Griese was drafted by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins. In his rookie year, he recorded 2,005 yards and 15 touchdowns. An American Football League All-Star during his first two years, Griese went on to earn Pro Bowl honors in six more seasons. His leadership played an important role in helping the Dolphins compete in three consecutive Super Bowls, winning the latter two contests.
In the 1970s, Bob Griese led Miami to nine winning seasons. In 1972, the 14-7 win against the Washington Redskins resulted in the only undefeated season in NFL history, known as the Perfect Season.

In Griese's 14 pro seasons, he threw for 25,092 yards and 192 touchdowns. He also rushed for 994 yards and seven scores. Griese was a six-time Dolphins' MVP and was All-Pro in 1971 and 1977. He played in two AFL All-Star games and six Pro Bowls.

Bob Griese's talents eventually resulted in his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. His jersey, #12, is the only one to have been retired by the Miami Dolphins.

From 1982-1986, Bob was a top analyst for NBC Sports' NFL coverage. He is currently a television commentator for college football on ABC-TV.

Bob and his son, Brian Griese, who plays for the Chicago Bears, wrote a book together, entitled Undefeated. Published in 2000, the book is about life during their undefeated seasons and living through the death of Brian's mother and Bob's first wife, Judi, from breast cancer