Archie Griffin: Connor Cook snub looked worse than it actually was

Archie Griffin discusses the handshake controversy with Michigan State’s Connor Cook on SI Now.

Two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin sat down with SI Now on Thursday to discuss the handshake controversy between him and Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook.

Griffin presented Cook with the Big Ten Championship game MVP trophy after the Spartans defeated Iowa, 16–13. Griffin went to shake the quarterback’s hand, but Cook snubbed Griffin, only giving his hand a light shake before walking to the front of the stage. Later, Cook took to Twitter to apologize for the interaction, saying he was caught up in the moment and did not mean to disrespect the former player. 

Griffin said on Thursday that the moment was so hectic that he didn’t even realize the snub until the next day when people reached out and his wife showed him footage of the trophy presentation. 

“I was a little taken a back when I saw the video,” Griffin said. “But I can tell you this—Connor gave me a call that Sunday and he apologized to me and I accepted his apology.”

Griffin went on to add that he understood that the moment was chaotic. He said that Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio also spoke with him about the incident. 

“It looked a lot worse than it really was,” Griffin said. 

Michigan State (12–1) will play Alabama (12–1) in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff on Dec. 31.