Griff attended Sheffield High School where he played football for Coach Walton Wright. He transferred to Cherokee for his junior and senior years playing for Coach Bud Mills and graduated in 1959. He was employed at Reynolds Metals for 40 years following high school and during that time he coached 7th and 8th grade pee wee football for 12 years and began officiating high school football in 1968. He is still active in officiating after 38 years and has held every position on the Tennessee Valley Football Officials Board. He is currently the assigning secretary. He has worked over 450 high school games, has officiated six state championship games including one Super Six game. As an official, he has received the Distinguished Service Award and the District Official of the Year Award.