Tag Archives: cedric griffin

NFL, University of Texas

Griffin, Cedric (2) ‘Griff’

Cards: Upper Deck 2006, Score Select 2008, Adrenalyn 2009
Acquired: In Person, 2018
See Also: Cedric Griffin

Wow, so I went out to this unbearably hot event at Del Valley stadium to get Cedric Griffin and Aaron Ross in the middle of July. That’s dedication. Anyway, it was a really good and encouraging camp for the kids. There were some great speeches from the players, and they were more than happy to provide autographs to anyone and everyone.

I patiently waited until the end. A kid kept backing up nervously, so I told him to go ahead and get Cedric’s autograph before me. Cedric and the kid looked at me and laughed. It was his son.

Cedric told me that he loved every moment of the NFL experience and cheerfully penned these 3 cards for me in no time flat.

I previously had gotten Griffin on a card or two a few years ago. I gave away the Adrenalyn card -even though I really liked it, so I had always wanted to get Cedric again on a few more cards including the Upper Deck 2006 rookie debut- which I seem to have carved out a small niche in collecting. I don’t like that particular card. It appears that somebody Photoshopped the background very poorly. The Score Select 2008 is an okay card, but the chrome is a bit garish. Thankfully, Cedric’s bold silver autograph makes up for the design descrepancies on each card.

NFL, University of Texas

Griffin, Cedric

leafr&s06 cgriffinleafr&s06 cgriffin b
Cards: 2006 Leaf Rookies & Stars. 2006 Leaf Rookies and Stars Longevity 030/199, Score 2010
Acquired: In Person 2016, Mighty Fine Burgers Battle of the Beast

Toughness defines Cedric Griffin- the UT defensive back who conquered personal odds, rose to prominence among DBUT, and then forged his career in the NFL with the Vikings and Redskins. A three year starter in the Longhorns secondary, Griffin was valued for his willingness to contribute on special teams and play any position in the secondary. Gifted with great speed, Cedric was a sure handed tackler who finished with 78 tackles in his Senior campaign.   He started 37 consecutive games for Texas, recording 267 tackles,  3 interceptions, 32 pass breakups, and 5 forced fumbles.

sco10 cgriffinCedric was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with their second round pick of the 2006 draft. The Vikings preferred Cedric play corner- a position he appeared in 89 games for the Vikings. He recovered a fumble for a TD, and had a career high 82 tackles in 2007. After the 2011 season, he was allowed to sign via free agency with the Washington Redskins. He played one season with the team and retired after the 2012 season.

I had missed out on Cedric at the UT Neighborhood Bowling Tournament back in 2011, and then later again during the 2015 Memorial Day Flood, so I was determined to finally get his autograph this time around. I went with Shawn and his wife to the Mighty Fine event, and while we sweated it out until the final moments before the event began, it all worked out when Cedric strolled through the door. He kindly signed these 3 cards for me. I would’ve penned him on a 4th but I gave the Adrenalyn card to Shawn so that he had an extra item to get signed. A really nice signature encapsulated by the bronze color, Cedric told me he that it was a great change of pace and a lot of fun playing for the Redskins.

G/GS  89/72        TAC  350          SAC 0            FUM 3
INT 8         YDS  0           AVG 0.0          TD 0           LG 4