After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War I, "Red" Griffiths attended Bloomsburg Normal School. He next attend Pennsylvania State College where he would become an All-American college football player in 1920 as a stalwart guard for Hugo Bezdek’s undefeated 1920 team. He also lettered in lacrosse for the Nittany Lions and earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry there in 1921. He played one professional season (1921) with the Canton Bulldogs of the National Football League. He continued his education at Columbia University, graduating in 1930.