Where Have We Heard The Name Ryan Grigson Before?

Ryan Grigson has a history in the NFL. I’m going to try and narrow down where we have heard that name before. Let’s see, Grigson was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 1995 NFL Draft.

Barely remember that, what else?

He also has experience in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League and is a graduate of Purdue.

No…

How about this? Grigson also spent five seasons with the St. Louis Rams as national scout (1999-00) and area scout (2001-03).

It seems like it’s had something to do with front office work…

Ok, that’s it! Grigson spent 2004-11 with the Philadelphia Eagles, rising in rank from western regional scout to director of player personnel during his final two seasons.

No, that’s not it.

Then its’s the fact that Grigson served as General Manager for the Indianapolis Colts from 2012-16. During his time with the Colts, he helped the team to three playoff appearances, two AFC South division titles and was named NFL Executive of the Year for the 2012 season by Sporting News.

Nope, that’s not it either. Seeing that you can’t tell me, let me tell you.

Ryan Grigson is the guy who tipped off the NFL that there were underdeflated footballs in the infamous Deflategate scandal back a few years ago that was by far one of the most controversial events ever to grace the field of play in my lifetime.

Here are some excerpts from an article I referenced back when things went on and look at what is being said in this interview from CBS.

Arman Keteyian: Let’s talk Deflategate for just– a couple of minutes,” Keteyian said. “I realize that its under investigation at the moment but how did the league first learn that the balls may have been deflated?”
Troy Vincent: “Sometime during the second quarter it was brought to our attention that there may be– a ball that– that may be under– under compliance.”
Keteyian: “Who brought it to the league’s attention?”
Vincent: “It was the ge– general manager of the Indianapolis Colts.”
Keteyian: “The general manager? Do you know how he found out?”
Vincent: “We were told on the sideline that there potentially could be– a ball that was out of compliance.”
Keteyian: “So that was the driving force to check the balls at half time?”
Vincent: “Yes, sir. That started everything.”
Keteyian: “So you’re saying sometime during the second quarter, the general manager of the Colts –”
Vincent: “Ryan Grigson.”
Keteyian: “Ryan Grigson– spoke to someone in the league and said, ‘We’ve got some concerns about the balls’?”
Vincent: “Yes, sir.”
Also of interest is where Keteyian asks about Roger Goodell’s knowledge of the issue.
Keteyian: “And at that point in time, the decision was made to check all the balls of the Patriots at halftime.”
Vincent: “Both teams.”
Keteyian: “Both teams?”
Vincent: “Yes sir.”
Keteyian: “Commissioner Goodell said he wasn’t sure what the procedures were regarding checking the balls at half-time or not. I — I found that answer hard to believe.”
Vincent: “‘Cause he’s not involved.”
Keteyian: “How can he not be involved? I mean, all he’s gotta do is ask Dean Blandino, who’s the head of officiating, ‘Is it standard operating procedure for– us to check the balls at half-time’?”
Vincent: “So again, what I would say, Ted Wells is havin’ an ind– doin’ an independent investigation. We hope that the Wells report will allow us to make an informed decision about the New England Patriots.”

Oh right! I remember all of that.

The Browns have now brought him into the fold as he enters his 19th year in the NFL. What is to come for the Browns and the future of the franchise? We will have to wait and see. Of course our hope is that he finds more talent to continue to develope a building team and not just annother hope that is full of hot air… or slightly deflated or worse yet fall flat.