Griese Succeeds In Father’s Shadow Son Of Hall Of Fame Qb Seems To Play Second Fiddle

It’s not easy to be the son of a Hall of Fame quarterback, to be on the No. 1 team playing for the national championship, and still be overshadowed by the guy throwing for the other team.

But it seems almost natural for Michigan quarterback Brian Griese, who rests comfortably in the background at the Rose Bowl in the considerable shadow of Washington State’s Ryan Leaf.

Griese is the anti-Leaf - the one who rolled off the assembly line with the serviceable size and arm, but probably not much of an NFL future. Griese walked on at Michigan, scraped to earn a scholarship and saw his first action holding for kicks.

He started most of 1995, but ‘96 was a disaster. He was suspended from the team after being arrested for throwing a rock through a bar window and he eventually lost the starting job to Scott Dreisbach.

Griese contemplated bypassing his senior season to enter graduate school. His father, Bob, the former Miami Dolphins quarterback, pleaded with his son, but it was another family member who finally convinced Brian to return to Michigan.

“I know he was frustrated,” Bob said. “He was talking to his older brother, Jeff, at dinner one night. After a long meal, Jeff shook his head and said, ‘You are crazy. You have a chance to get Michigan to the Rose Bowl and compete for the job.’ It kind of sold Brian.”

Brian then sold himself to Wolverines coaches and teammates. He was named the starter five days before the season opener against Colorado. Griese has responded with an efficient, if not spectacular season. He completed 63 percent of his passes and tossed 14 touchdowns with only five interceptions.

Yet, he’s second fiddle on his own team. The pregame hype has zeroed in on Michigan’s dominating defense vs. Leaf.

Griese doesn’t mind.

“We understand from practicing against our defense how good they are,” Griese said. “They deserve all the credit they get, but we understand this (game) is probably going to come down to us. They’re going to score some points, but not as much as they usually do.

“I don’t feel overlooked. Ryan Leaf is a great quarterback and he’s getting a lot of attention and that’s fine. I just go about my business the way I’ve always done. As long as I take care of my business, we should be all right.”

His father has helped him along the way, of course, but Brian’s been able to reciprocate. They’ve always been there for each other. They had to be, following the death of Judy Griese to cancer in 1988. Bob’s two older sons had already left the house, leaving just Brian and Bob to lean on each other.

Brian calls Bob a “Hall of Fame dad.”

“I couldn’t be prouder,” Bob says. “It’s been a magical year for him and for Michigan.”

Bob Griese had magic in his arm when he helped Purdue to a 14-13 win over USC in the 1967 Rose Bowl. Having grown up in Florida, Brian knew more about Orange Bowls than Rose Bowls.

“But as I came to Michigan, I gained respect for what it takes to get here,” Brian said. “As a fifth-year senior, I have a lot of respect for the teams that came before me and what it took to get here.”

His dad has offered pointers, but not as many as one might expect. Brian’s style is suspiciously like his father’s - he’s heady, makes smart decisions and doesn’t turn the ball over.

“We talked about things as far as throwing the football, but we didn’t really talk about the fundamentals,” Brian said. “I was more interested in just going out and playing catch with him. He’s more supportive of me with the mental things.”

Brian has proved to be a quick learner, in football and elsewhere. He earned an environmental policy degree. He emerged as a team leader, in part because he maintained a strong work ethic despite being stuck as the backup quarterback.

He frequently visits hospitalized children in Michigan. It puts things in perspective, he says, and it’s as beneficial to him as it is to the children.

Griese became particularly close to one girl, Jayne Uber, who fell off a horse and broke her neck. Her legs were paralyzed.

Uber asked Brian to go to her prom. Brian accepted and danced with Uber, lifting her out of her wheelchair in a scene that left chaperones teary eyed.

“He’s a great leader and stepped up his play this year,” defensive end Glen Steele said, “but it’s not only on the field. He’s a great person who will help you out in any time of need.”

Griese seemingly cemented his status on the team at mid-season. His three interceptions left Michigan behind Iowa, 21-7, at half. He directed a comeback 28-24 win.

“It was time for me to make a decision if I was going to be a good quarterback here or just another quarterback that lost four games (as Michigan had done the previous four seasons),” he said. “From then on, I’ve never lost confidence no matter what happens.”

Given the obstacles - past and present - he’s overcome, that’s understandable.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo