Robert Allen “Bob” Griese (born February 3, 1945) is a former professional football quarterback and one of the most accomplished athletes from Evansville, Indiana. A two-time Super Bowl champion with the Miami Dolphins, Griese was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Evansville

Griese was born and raised in Evansville and attended Rex Mundi High School, where he was a standout in football, basketball and baseball. He earned 12 varsity letters and received All-City honors in all three sports and All-State recognition in football and basketball.

Griese was also an outstanding baseball player. In 1963, he helped lead Evansville’s Funkhouser American Legion Post 8 to the American Legion World Series, making him one of the city’s most accomplished multi-sport high school athletes.

Purdue University

Griese attended Purdue University and developed into one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. He earned All-American honors in 1965 and 1966 and finished second in voting for the 1966 Heisman Trophy.

Griese led Purdue to its first Rose Bowl appearance, defeating Southern California 14–13 in the 1967 Rose Bowl.

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins selected Griese with the fourth overall pick in the 1967 draft. He spent his entire 14-year professional career with Miami and became the leader of one of the greatest teams in NFL history.

Griese led the Dolphins to three consecutive Super Bowl appearances and victories in Super Bowls VII and VIII. He was the quarterback of the legendary 1972 Miami Dolphins, who finished 17–0 and remain the only team in NFL history to complete an entire season and postseason undefeated.

During his career, Griese was selected to six Pro Bowls, earned two First-Team All-Pro selections and threw for more than 25,000 yards. The Dolphins retired his No. 12 jersey.

Hall of Fame and Evansville Legacy

Griese was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1984, College Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

His hometown has continued to honor his accomplishments. A Pro Football Hall of Fame hometown plaque honoring Griese was presented in Evansville in 2012 and placed at the Ford Center.

Griese has also continued supporting his hometown. For years, he has donated Super Bowl tickets to Evansville’s Night of Memories fundraiser, which raises money to support youth sports in the Tri-State area.

Griese is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes ever produced by Evansville.