He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he was a stand-out performer on the 2005 national championship team.

Griffin played football at Oliver Wendell Holmes High School in San Antonio, Texas under the direction of head coach David Sanchez.

Other standout athletes who played with Griffin on the Holmes football squad include Olympic Gold Medalist in 4 × 400 meter relay Darold Williamson, Robert Quiroga of the Arena Football League, standout defensive tackle at Baylor University Michael Gary, and Division II All-American quarterback from Texas Lutheran University Sean Salinas.

[5] Griffin is the highest-drafted defensive back chosen by the Vikings since Orlando Thomas (number 42 overall) was selected in 1995.

In the game, Griffin tore the Anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, which was successfully repaired in the offseason.

Griffin rehabilitated throughout the pre-season and was able to return in 2010 to play in the Vikings' Week 3 victory over the Detroit Lions.

However, the next day, after undergoing an MRI it was determined that Griffin had torn the ACL in his right knee and he was placed on season ending injured reserve.

[6] Late in the first half of the 2012 season opener against the New Orleans Saints, he tackled Marques Colston as the latter was heading towards the endzone and caused him to fumble.

The ball then rolled out of the back of the end zone and was ruled a touchback, which helped the Redskins beat the Saints, 40 to 32.

[7] On December 4, Griffin was suspended for four games due to violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.