Perry Griggs (2014) - Hall of Fame - Troy University Athletics

Perry Griggs

Induction:
2014

Described as one of the most exciting players in the nation by a rival coach, Perry Griggs was a true threat to score from anywhere on the field, whether he was catching passes or returning kicks.

Griggs, a native of Lanett, Ala., was so electric and so versatile on the football field that an opposing coach said, “Troy State gets more mileage out of Perry Griggs than you can get out of a steel belted radial tire.”

The three-time All-American held Troy’s all-purpose yardage record for over 30 years following his storied career, and while his athletic abilities are what carry him into the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame, it is his persona and attitude that is remembered by those at Troy.

“I will always remember he had a smile on his face,” Troy University Sports Hall of Fame member and former Troy athletic trainer Doc Anderson said. “There was never a bad day for Perry. He did everything right and was the kind of player that you wanted to have 22 of on both sides of the ball.”

Griggs had plenty to be happy about on the football field as a three-time All-American, the Birmingham News Alabama Player of the Year, a four-time all-district honoree and the Gulf South Conference Player of the Year. Additionally, Griggs was a premier athlete on the track for the Trojans.

It didn’t take long for Griggs to make an impact as he totaled 681 all-purpose yards and scored seven touchdowns during his rookie campaign for the Trojans; a season that led to NAIA All-District 27 honors.

However, that was just the tip of the iceberg for Griggs as the rest of his career was one for the record books.

“He was such a superlative athlete during that particular time, and because of the nature of our offense, he could accomplish what no other receivers could,” Anderson said. “It’s hard to compare him to another player because the game is so different, but if he played in the system that we run now there is no telling what kind of numbers he could have put up.”

The amazing thing about Griggs’ career is the fact that you can debate which of his final three seasons was his best. It wouldn’t matter which side you took, as all three could be the correct answer.

Measuring just 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, Griggs accumulated 1,585 all-purpose yards during his sophomore season as he tallied 611 receiving yards, 163 rushing yards, 531 kickoff return yards and 280 punt return yards. The all-purpose total still ranks as the fifth most in a single-season in Troy history, and was the school’s all-time mark for 13 seasons.

The Birmingham Post-Herald thought so highly of his play that they named him the Alabama Player of the Year and the Gulf South Conference followed suit with conference player of the year honors. Griggs was tabbed to the Associated Press and NAIA All-America teams as an honorable mention selection in addition to NAIA all-district distinction.

Griggs followed his record-breaking sophomore season with 949 all-purpose yards in 1975 and 864 all-purpose yards in 1976 to set the then school record with 4,079 yards for his career. To prove how far ahead of his time he was, the record stood until 2010 when future NFL receiver Jerrel Jernigan finally bested the number that was set over 30 years prior.

Griggs’ record was bullet proof for so many years as the closest anyone got to breaking the mark before the late 90s was 800 yards in 1983 and 400 yards in 1988.

He was named to the Associated Press All-America Third Team following his junior season in addition to honorable mention honors on the NAIA All-America Team. Griggs’ senior season earned him Kodak First Team All-America distinction and NAIA Second Team All-America honors.

Griggs went on to play in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game following his senior year and was selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. He played professionally for the Baltimore Colts in the NFL and for two seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League.