Robert Griffith crafted a 13-year playing career in the NFL, spending eight of those seasons with the Vikings (1994-2001) and finishing up with the Cleveland Browns (2002-04) and the Arizona Cardinals (2005-06). But even with his playing days in the rear view mirror, Griffith is looking to continue making an impact on the game.

It was announced late Thursday that Griffith is one of eight nominees who will challenge incumbent DeMaurice Smith for the role of NFLPA Executive Director. Smith was elected unanimously by a board of active player representatives on March 16, 2009 and re-elected unanimously to a second term on March 29, 2012. Aside from Griffith and Smith, the candidates are: Jim Acho, Jason Belser, Sean Gilbert, Rob London, Arthur McAfee, John Stufflebeem, and Andrew Smith.

Griffith and his fellow candidates will attend the NFLPA annual meeting and present their case for election to the 32 player reps who will each cast a ballot. A candidate must receive 17 votes to win the job. If after the first vote no candidate receives 17, then the lowest vote-getter is dropped and another round of voting ensues. That process continues until a candidate secures a majority of the votes.

Griffith played 119 games in eight seasons for the Vikings, garnering two All-Pro nods and collecting 17 interceptions and 7.5 sacks. He was known as a team leader, was one of the more community-conscious players in the locker room and was a key part of one of the most beloved squads in Vikings history – the 1998 team that went 15-1 and advanced to the NFC Championship Game.