Griff Whalen
Griff Whalen is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League. He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Whalen has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, and Oakland Raiders, as well as for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.
College career
Whalen played for the Stanford Cardinal from 2008–2011. He was roommates with quarterback Andrew Luck for three years. While at Stanford University, he played on the club lacrosse team in one season.2008 season
Whalen made the Stanford football team as a walk-on and was one of eight true freshmen to see playing time in the 2008 season. He appeared in the Washington State game, earning a varsity letter. In the game, he had two punt returns for 12 yards.2009 season
In 2009, Whalen worked his way into the wide receiver rotation. He appeared in 12 games and made two starts. His first career reception was in the season opener against Washington State. For the season, Whalen caught seven passes for 60 yards.2010 season
In 2010, Whalen caught 17 passes for 249 yards and one touchdown in 13 games. He caught one pass for 19 yards against UCLA before catching 11 passes for 154 yards and one touchdown in the next three games against Wake Forest, Notre Dame, and Oregon. He provided much-needed depth to the receiving corps in the early going, when Ryan Whalen and Chris Owusu were slowed with injuries. He caught a career-high five passes for 78 yards at Oregon, including his first career touchdown at the 5:06 mark of the first quarter on an 18-yard corner route from quarterback Andrew Luck.2011 season
The 2011 season was Whalen's best statistical year at Stanford. He finished the 2011 season with 56 receptions for 749 yards and 4 touchdowns. His best statistical game came in a loss to Oregon. He finished with 9 receptions for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns. During the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State, he had 7 receptions for 85 yards. Stanford lost 38–41. He was a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is an award given annually to the most outstanding FBS college football player who began his career as a walk-on.Professional career
Indianapolis Colts
2012
Whalen was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent following the 2012 NFL draft on April 28, 2012, joining fellow Stanford players Andrew Luck and Coby Fleener. On August 28, he was put on the injured reserve list for a broken foot, which occurred against the Pittsburgh Steelers.2013
More hurdles were thrown Whalen’s way in 2013. His position on the active roster at the beginning of the season was due to second year wide-out LaVon Brazill's four-game suspension due to a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. Whalen was cut following Brazill’s return, but was quickly signed to the practice squad after impressing the Colts’ coaching staff. He was activated once again after Reggie Wayne’s season-ending ACL injury during the Week 7 victory over the Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos].Following a second spell on the practice squad, Whalen returned to the active roster in Week 15 against the Houston Texans season|Houston Texans] and started to offer a glimpse of the potential at his disposal. A career-high 45 receiving yards and first touchdown catch against the Texans was followed by an 80-yard day in the impressive 23–7 road victory over the Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs], a game in which Whalen led the Colts in receiving yards and receptions. His fine run of form continued in the 30–10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars season|Jacksonville Jaguars] in Week 17, adding a second touchdown catch in three weeks.
Whalen made his playoff debut against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round on January 4, 2014. In the 45–44 victory, he had two receptions for 26 yards. In the New England Patriots 43, Indianapolis Colts 22|Divisional Round] against the New England Patriots, he had five receptions for 67 yards in the 43–22 loss.
Overall, Whalen ended the year as a starter with 24 receptions for 259 yards and two touchdowns.