[1] McGriff grew up in rural Houston County, Alabama in the southeastern corner of the state.
McGriff was an interior defensive lineman for the 1978 squad that defeated Penn State in the famous “goal line stand” Sugar Bowl.
He was also part of the 1979 team that repeated as undisputed national champions, punctuated by a win over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.
McGriff entered the NFL and signed with the New York Giants in 1980 as a defensive lineman.
He was often seen at charity event such as Kidney Benefits with close friend and fellow Alabama player, Don McNeal, who played cornerback for the Miami Dolphins from 1980–1989.