The Vikings on Monday announced the signing of veteran safety Michael Griffin.

Griffin has started 133 of the 141 games he's played, missing just three contests in nine seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

Here are five things to know about Griffin, a first-round pick (19th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft.

1. Two takeaways three times

Griffin has totaled 25 interceptions, including a career-best seven in 2008 that were highlighted by an 83-yard return for a touchdown against Pittsburgh. He's had three games with two interceptions: that day against the Steelers in December 2008; against Houston in September 2008 and most recently against the New York Jets in December 2012. Griffin also recorded interceptions in four straight games in 2010, helping the Titans open that season 5-2 and earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. Griffin made the Pro Bowl after the 2008 and 2010 seasons. With the retirement of Charles Woodson (65 interceptions), Griffin's career tally of 25 place him 15th among active NFL players.

2. Not shy about tackling

Since 2009, Griffin has posted at least 96 tackles each season. He had a career-high 153, including 99 solo, in 2010. Griffin added 101 (67 solo) in 2015 and has 912 total for his career, an average of 101.3 per season. Included in those totals are 21 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks. Those numbers, along with 10 career quarterback pressures, prove that Griffin can be more than a ball hawk.

3. Respect for the military

Griffin will join Vikings teammates that are deeply connected to the military. His father, Ronald, served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, and his mother, Mae, served in the U.S. Navy for more than two decades. Griffin's parents met while on assignments in Korea. They later married and had twins: Griffin and his brother Marcus. The Griffin twins teamed together in college at Texas. Marcus signed with Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2008 but was released that summer.

4. Texas tandem

Griffin was born in Austin, Texas, and was able to play collegiately for the Longhorns in his hometown. He and Vikings defensive end Brian Robison were teammates for four seasons and helped Texas win the 2005 NCAA national title with a victory over USC in the Rose Bowl.

5. Another reunion

Griffin also has previous connections with Vikings defensive backs coach Jerry Gray and assistant defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon. Gray was the Titans defensive coordinator 2011-13, and Gannon was a defensive assistant in Tennessee for the 2012-13 seasons.

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