Team

6’0” • 202 lbs. • Born: 1.4.85 • Exp. (NFL/Titans): 3/3 • D1 – 2007 • Texas

2008 GP/GS: 16/16 (Playoffs 1/1) • Career GP/GS: 32/26 (Playoffs 2/2) • Austin, Texas

Pro Bowls (1): 2008

PRO: Griffin, one of the best young safeties in the NFL, displays great range and playmaking ability in the secondary. The Titans 2007 first round pick possesses the ball-hawking skills of a safety and the speed and agility of a cornerback. Throughout his career, he has shown the uncanny knack for always being around the football and making big plays on defense and special teams. A hard-working and coachable player, Griffin was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2008 after finishing tied for second in the NFL with a team-high seven interceptions. In 2007, he began his rookie campaign as a cornerback before shifting back to his collegiate position of safety midway through the season. He appeared in all 16 regular season games, starting the final 10 contests at free safety and posted 49 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes defensed and a forced fumble. The interception total was the most by a Titans/Oilers rookie safety since Bubba McDowell recorded four in 1989. Griffin also has proven to be an excellent special teams player, leading the team with 16 special teams tackles in 2007 and finishing second on the club with 17 special teams stops in 2008. At the scouting combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds, recorded a 36-inch vertical jump and bench pressed 225 pounds 16 times. The Titans selected Griffin in the first round (19th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft.

TITANS TIDBITS:

• Griffin grew up playing football with his fraternal twin brother, Marcus, as a teammate. Both attended the University of Texas with Marcus redshirting his first season while Michael played immediately.

• Griffin returned to the University of Texas during the 2008 offseason to pursue his college degree in youth and community studies.

• Griffin is the product of two military parents. His father, Ronald, served more than 20 years with the U.S. Air Force, while his mother, Mae, was in the U.S. Navy for more than two decades. The couple met while serving in Korea and were later married and had twin sons, Michael and Marcus.

• Griffin was the second consecutive first-round draft pick by the Titans out of the University of Texas. Quarterback Vince Young was chosen with the third overall pick in the 2006 draft. There are a total of four former Texas teammates on the Titans roster – Griffin, Young, tight end Bo Scaife and fullback Ahmard Hall.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

2008 (16/16, 1/1): Named to the 2008 Pro Bowl after starting all 16 games at free safety and finishing tied for second in the NFL with a team-high seven interceptions. Registered 81 tackles, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and finished third on the team with 12 passes defensed. Continued to excel on special teams finishing second on the squad with 17 special teams stops. Notched a career-high two interceptions against Houston (9/21/08) and against Pittsburgh (12/21/08). Matched a career-best with eight tackles against Jacksonville (9/7/08). Posted 115 interception return yards against Pittsburgh (12/21/08) which ranks second in franchise history for a single-game total (Miller Farr, 128 yards, at N.Y. Jets, 10/15/67).

• Against Jacksonville (9/7), tied for the team lead with eight tackles in the Titans’ 17-10 victory on opening day. Registered his first career sack when he dropped David Garrard for a four-yard loss in the third quarter.

• At Cincinnati (9/14), collected six tackles and an interception in the 24-7 road victory. Intercepted a Carson Palmer pass intended for Reggie Kelly and returned it 15 yards in the fourth quarter.

• Against Houston (9/21), registered three solo tackles, a career-high three passes defensed, two interceptions and a tackle for loss in the Titans’ 31-12 victory. Made an acrobatic interception of a pass intended for Joel Dreessen along the left sideline in the first quarter. Picked off a fourth-and-10 pass intended for Andre Johnson in the fourth quarter.

• At Baltimore (10/5), registered two tackles and an interception in the Titans’ 13-10 comeback victory over the Ravens. Stepped in front of Demetrius Williams, picked off a Joe Flacco pass and returned it six yards to the Ravens’ 32-yard line in the second quarter.

• Against Cleveland (12/7), notched five tackles, an interception and two passes defensed in the Titans’ division-clinching 28-9 victory. Knocked down a deep pass intended for Braylon Edwards in the second quarter. Intercepted a pass intended for Edwards and raced 36 yards to the Cleveland 22-yard line, setting up the Titans’ third touchdown of the afternoon in the third quarter.

• Against Pittsburgh (12/21), registered five tackles, two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown, and three passes defensed in the Titans’ 31-14 victory. Halted a Steelers’ drive by knocking away a deep pass intended for Nate Washington on third-and-10 late in the first quarter. Intercepted a pass intended for Nate Washington on third-and-two late in the third quarter. Sealed the victory by intercepting Roethlisberger and returning the pick 83 yards for a touchdown with 16 seconds remaining in the game.

2007 (16/10, 1/1): Saw action in all 16 games, starting the final 10 contests at free safety. Registered 49 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes defensed, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss. Led the team with 16 special teams tackles. Made his first career NFL start at safety against Oakland (10/28). Collected his first career interception by picking off Sage Rosenfels against Houston (12/2). Saw action in his first career NFL game against Jacksonville (9/9). Tied for the team lead in passes defensed three times in 2007 (vs. CAR, at CIN, at IND). Led or tied for the team lead in special teams tackles three times in 2007 (at NO, at HST, vs. SD).

• At Houston (10/21), led the team with six special teams tackles in the Titans’ thrilling 38-36 victory over the Texans. Downed a Craig Hentrich 47-yard punt at the Houston 2-yard line in the fourth quarter and returned two kickoffs for 55 yards.

• Against Oakland (10/28), made his first career NFL start at safety and registered five tackles in the Titans’ 13-9 win.

• Against Houston (12/2), recorded four tackles and an interception in the Titans’ 28-20 victory. Collected his first career NFL interception by picking off a Sage Rosenfels pass intended for Kevin Walter in the fourth quarter.

• Against San Diego (12/9), registered eight tackles and an interception. Picked off a Philip Rivers pass intended for Chris Chambers in the first quarter.

• At Kansas City (12/16), tallied five tackles and an interception in the Titans’ 26-17 road victory. Ran step for step with Tony Gonzalez and intercepted a Brodie Croyle pass intended for him late in the third quarter, marking his third consecutive game with an interception.

• At Indianapolis (12/30), notched five tackles, a forced fumble and two passes defensed in the Titans’ 16-10 playoff-clinching victory. Halted a Colts’ drive by forcing a Reggie Wayne fumble that was recovered by David Thornton at the Titans’ 20-yard line.

• In AFC Wild Card Game at San Diego (1/6), registered seven tackles, including a tackle for loss and a pass defensed. Batted down a deep pass intended for Chris Chambers in the end zone on a third-and-11 play in the second quarter.

COLLEGE:

• The 19th overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft developed into one of the top safeties in college football during his four years at Texas. He started 28 times in 50 career games at Texas and totaled 364 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, four sacks, eight interceptions, 23 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. As one of the country’s top special teams players, he set a Big 12 Conference record and ranked second in NCAA Division I-A history with eight career blocked punts.

• Led Texas in special teams tackles in each of his first two seasons and led the defense in tackles in his junior (124 tackles) and senior seasons (126). He was only the eighth player in Longhorns history to lead the team in tackles more than once in his career. His 364 career tackles on defense ranked eighth on the school’s all-time list.

• As a senior, started all 13 games at free safety. Named second-team All-American by Associated Press and Walter Camp Football Foundation, first-team All-Big 12 by Associated Press and league’s coaches and was semifinalist for Lott Trophy. Led team with 126 tackles and added four interceptions, 10 passes defensed, one sack, four tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two blocked punts. Set season high with 16 tackles and added two passes defensed at Texas Tech (10/28).

• As a junior, played 13 games with 12 starts at strong safety. Named second-team All-Big 12 after leading team with 124 tackles and adding three interceptions, eight passes defensed, four tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and school-record four blocked punts. Matched school’s highest single-game total since 1992 with career-high 23 tackles and blocked punt that was returned for touchdown at Texas A&M (11/25). Posted eight tackles and made crucial interception off Matt Leinart in Texas end zone to halt USC drive in 41-38 victory in Rose Bowl National Championship Game against USC (1/4).

• As a sophomore, played 12 games with one start and recorded 49 tackles, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two blocked punts. Also led team with 11 special teams tackles.

• As a freshman, played in 12 games with two starts and totaled 51 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Named team’s Outstanding Defensive Newcomer. Also led squad with 21 special teams tackles.

• Majored in youth and community studies.

PERSONAL:

• Single, splits time between Nashville and Austin, Texas.

• Has a son, Michael Braylen Griffin (1).

• Two-year starter at running back and senior starter at defensive back for Bowie (Austin, Texas) High School. As senior, named honorable mention All-State Class 5A on offense, District 25-5A Offensive MVP, Academic All-District and All-Central Texas as two-way performer. On offense, totaled 132 carries for 1,181 yards and 11 scores and added 46 tackles on defense.

• Also earned two letters in basketball and three in track & field, competing in 100m, 200m and mile relay.

• Participated in Pals program working with elementary school children while at Texas.

• Twice named to Athletics Director’s Honor Roll at Texas.

• List of favorites: (TV show) “Martin”; (actor) Denzel Washington; (musician) Lil’ Wayne; (school subject) math; (vacation getaway) Hawaii; (video game) NCAA Football; and (food) “anything cajun.”

• Born Michael Devin Griffin on Jan. 4, 1985 in Austin, Texas.