Very few have taken the remarkable journey to find the true meaning of success like NFL analyst, Robert Griffith. Over the span of a 13 year career, former Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro with the Minnesota Vikings has amassed 1324 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 27 interceptions, making him one of the greatest safeties to ever play the game. A legacy that is unparalleled, but matched by his undying work ethic off the field, this entrepreneur has forged his way into a wide range of professional and philanthropic endeavors. A journey that would be feared by many was conquered by a man who used his strength and flipped it into fuel, creating a man that is well beyond his years.
Robert Griffith, affectionately called “Griff,” started as a walk on for the San Diego State University football team, where he quickly became an indispensable member and a catalyst for the defensive unit. Robert graduated with a degree in electrical engineering but it was the NFL that would offer Robert the career opportunity he was looking for. Robert received an opportunity to try out for the Minnesota Vikings, a team that recognized his passion for the game and strong work ethic. The Vikings were fortunate enough to have him anchor the defense for eight illustrious years.
After retiring as one of the most dynamic safeties in the NFL, this All-Pro selection knew his career was far from over. His entrepreneurial vision of success followed him through his extraordinary career, but was even more precedent now that his playing days were over. Robert established Matador Enterprises, a California corporation which served as an umbrella company, in order to satisfy all of Robert’s business endeavors. Matador partnered with WSA, a wireless wholesale distributor, to expand their operations and since then WSA has grown from a 30 million gross per year to over 80 million gross per year. After securing success with WSA, Robert provided the same service to Platinum Networks, a landline phone distributor and service provider, which also deemed successful with their profits. Fueled by this amazing triumph, Robert decided to take his entrepreneurial spirit to another sector by opening Visions Restaurant and Lounge, located in the heart of the famous Gaslamp district in downtown San Diego. This venture deemed victorious and after two years of running Visions, which is still run by Griffith, he decided to build a new franchise, Nico’s Steak and Chop House. This structure was built from the ground up and profits have been outstanding since the opening. As if that is not enough, Matador Enterprises also boasts real estate development in Costa Rica and the Bahamas as well as many other locations.
Another alluring component to Robert’s career is his disarming charm and model quality looks, which has made him quite a name in the entertainment industry. From endorsements by Nike, and appearances from ESPN’s “Rome is Burning” and CBS’s “The Young and the Restless,” to a music video with Vivica Fox, this man has done it all. He has even starred in a Sony Pictures film, entitled “Hustle and Heat,” which starred Vivica Fox, Duane Martin and Daniel Dae Kim. A regular on the set of NFL Network, to the studios of ESPN, this broadcast aficionado is also an NFL Analyst. Robert is a regular host for the Chargers post-game show on San Diego’s NBC affiliate and he also has graced the sets of Fox Sports and NFL Europe. Radio is also a fan of Robert’s and from Rock 105 FM in San Diego to the airwaves of Sirius Satellite radio, Robert electrifies his audiences. He has also been featured in some of the biggest magazines in the country including the cover of Heart & Soul and the pages of DUB, Rolling Stone, VIBE, The Source, Sports Illustrated and Sporting News, just to name a few. He also graced the pages of Sports Illustrated for Women, the swimsuit issue. Robert also spends much of his time on red carpets at Hollywood’s most prestigious events, including the ESPY’s, the NAACP Awards and countless movie premieres.
Robert is also an incredible asset for national and local philanthropic undertakings. In 1998, Robert founded the Robert Griffith Foundation and provided college scholarships to underprivileged high school seniors. To date the foundation has 30 graduates from colleges across the U.S. The foundation also provides a comprehensive array of youth development programs to empower its participants, including mentoring, educational enrichment, organized sports and arts, as well as cultural initiatives. Robert also initiated the Viking Challenge which targets K-6th graders and challenges them in five areas of success: responsibility, non-violence, academic improvement, drug and alcohol abstinence and he carried over this program to the Cleveland Browns, where he briefly played. He has earned honorable mentions for the NFLPA’s Unsung Hero Award, NFL’s Ed Block Courage Award, Minnesota Vikings Community Man of the Year Award and nominated for the Byron “Whizzer” White Humanitarian Award, the NFLPA’s most prestigious award. Robert continues to generously give back to his community and beyond.
A testament to greatness, Robert is a rare combination of what all men strive to have; athletic prowess, striking good looks, unmatched intelligence, and insurmountable generosity. Robert has built a legacy based on his undying determination to overcome all odds even after an already memorable career in the NFL.