Bob Griese

Born

1945-02-03

Birthplace

Evansville, Indiana, USA

Biography

Bob Griese was born in Evansville, Indiana, and grew into one of the most efficient quarterbacks of his era, starring at Purdue before the Miami Dolphins drafted him in 1967. He spent all 14 of his pro seasons in Miami, leading the Dolphins to three straight Super Bowl appearances in the early '70s, including back-to-back titles in Super Bowls VII and VIII — the latter capping the franchise's perfect 17-0 season. Griese was known less for gaudy stats than for precision and game management, picking his spots as a passer while the Dolphins' running game did the heavy lifting. After retiring in 1980, he moved into broadcasting, first calling NFL games for NBC before settling in at ABC and ESPN as a longtime college football color commentator, a second career nearly as long as his playing days. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990, and his No. 12 was the first number the Dolphins ever retired.