Former Boilermaker Ryan Grigson Named Colts' GM - Purdue Boilermakers

Jan. 11, 2012

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Indianapolis Colts have scheduled a 4 p.m. press conference to announce that former Purdue football player Ryan Grigson has been named the team's general manager.

Grigson, who played for head coach Jim Colletto from 1991 to 1994 (after redshirting under Fred Akers in 1990), has spent the past nine seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, the last two as director of player personnel. He served as director of college scouting for four years and as a scout for three years. Grigson served as a scout with the St. Louis Rams from 1999 to 2003. He was part of the Rams' Super Bowl XXXIV championship team in 1999 and the Rams' NFC Championship squad in 2001.

A native of Highland, Ind., Grigson becomes the second Boilermaker alum to currently serve as an NFL general manager. Rick Smith, a defensive back from 1987 to 1991 and an assistant coach in 1994 and 1995, is in his sixth season with the Houston Texans.

The Purdue athletics department issued the following statement: "On behalf of the football staff and entire athletics department, congratulations to Ryan Grigson for being named general manager of the Indianapolis Colts. We have watched with admiration and pride Ryan's climb up the National Football League front-office latter with the St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia Eagles."

Grigson began his Purdue career as a tight end before moving to offensive tackle. He overcame a life-threatening illness (pancreatitis, kidney failure and pneumonia) that left him hospitalized for five weeks in 1992. He was selected a team captain his senior year.

Grigson was selected in the sixth round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He was a member of the Detroit Lions in 1995 and 1996 and played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 1997.