Five years ago, Justin Griffin was focused on basketball in Orlando, Florida. Now, he’s leading Passaic High School’s football team into the state playoffs for the first time in 15 years. Griffin’s journey from the court to the field has been nothing short of remarkable.
Griffin moved to Passaic around age 12 and joined the Passaic Chiefs youth football program. His love for football quickly outshined his interest in basketball, and today, basketball ranks only third among his athletic pursuits. Second is track and field, where Griffin won the county title in the 100-meter dash with a personal best of 10.8 seconds in his first season as a sophomore.
After surpassing 1,000 yards last season, Griffin dedicated his offseason to strength training, giving him the power to run inside as well as outside, making him even more versatile. The effort has paid off; Griffin has already racked up 1,555 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.
Passaic’s head coach, Mark Dupree, credits Griffin’s success to his confidence and consistent work ethic. “We know that with him, we have one of the best players on the field,” Dupree said.
With the playoffs underway, Griffin aims to solidify his legacy. Breaking records held by Passaic legends like Bart Allen and drawing comparisons to NFL Pro Bowler Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, he’s determined to become one of Passaic’s best running backs.
Griffin’s story is a testament to perseverance and passion. He went from a basketball hopeful to a record-breaking running back and an inspiration to the Passaic community, driving his team forward with every yard.
