Griffin Prock: Youth athlete to growing social media sports influencer
TUCSON, Ariz. — In the shadow of Washington’s towering trees and mountains, nestled in the heart of the Bellevue cityscape lives Griffin Prock. At 26, Prock’s journey from a Redmond, Wash. native to an emerging digital sports influencer and entrepreneur embodies a blend of modern ambition and deeply rooted childhood dreams.
Prock’s story begins in the suburban stretches of Redmond, Wash. where he grew up with a tight knit group of friends and navigated the complexities of family life after his parents’ divorce with the companionship of his younger brother, Logan, 24. These early years, underscored by familial changes, set a backdrop for Griffin’s resilient and adaptive character.
“When I was a little kid, I think I was a lot of who I still am now,” Prock said. “I’m very committed to being a good person. I look back on my past and how I was brought up, how my family dynamic is and I just have always put it on my shoulders to try and be a good person.”
Being an older brother also taught Prock at a young age how to be mature and protective, acting as a role-model and trusted person in Logan’s life. With the brothers only being two years apart, their relationship was always very close due to the reliability they had on each other throughout their lives.
“Our parents’ divorce made it so I had to step up at a younger age and look out for Logan. I took it upon myself to figure out how to be more than just a brother to him, because we were all going through a lot at the time,” Prock said.
Logan looks back on their childhood relationship stating, “there were phases and times where we had sibling rivalry but as we matured our relationship continued to become stronger,” Logan Prock said. “During our parents’ divorce, it was nice to have him by my side through all the changes. Since he was older he often experienced things first and was able to teach me how to navigate everything.”
Growing up in Redmond offered Prock a childhood rich with a dependable and engaged community, and the opportunity to nurture his competitive spirit with the plethora of youth sports offered throughout the city. It was here, amidst the soccer fields and basketball courts of his hometown, that Prock’s passion for sports was ignited.
“Sports were a big part of my life, I did every sport you could do as a kid,” Prock said.
Not only was Prock invested in sports as an athlete, but he was also fascinated with the business behind sports, sports marketing and the idea of sharing his knowledge about sports with the world.
“When I was in first or second grade I did a project about what I wanted to be when I grew up and I said I wanted to be on Sports Center and I wanted to talk about sports,” Prock said.
Education played a pivotal role in Prock’s formative years, leading him to Washington State University after graduating from Redmond High School. Majoring in communication and marketing, Prock delved into the intricacies of media, persuasion, and digital landscapes. College not only provided Prock with a solid academic foundation but also taught him how to take the skills from his degree and use them in the way he has always dreamed of. This strong footing in marketing and communication would later become cornerstones for his professional endeavors.
During his senior year at Redmond High School, Prock met Madeleine, a fellow senior, who would later become his wife. Madeleine’s shared interests, and aspirations quickly forged a deep connection between them. This relationship, blossoming from random prom dates to high school sweethearts to life partners, became a constant source of light and encouragement for Prock.
“He has completely come into his own as an adult and is more confident and surer of himself than he has ever been,” Madeleine Prock said. “He tackles every new obstacle life throws at him with empathy, grace, and confidence. Watching him grow into this version of himself makes me fall more in love with him every single day.”
Nearly two years into their marriage, Madeleine continues to be a pillar in Prock’s life, championing his dreams and strengthening their relationship with the support they show each other every day.
After college, Prock returned to the greater Seattle area, drawn by its dynamic blend of technology, culture and opportunity. He found his first job at The Stable, a Seattle-based firm specializing in e-commerce consultancy. Here, Prock’s role involves navigating brands through the digital marketplace, optimizing online presence, and strategizing for market impact. This position, while financially reliable, wasn’t fully satisfying Prock’s entrepreneurial spirit or deep-seated passion for sports.
“I was starting to get bored of my job and was feeling burnt out by the corporate world. I wanted to be in entertainment, in the sports world, on the news, so that’s why I started my podcast, “Show About Sports,” Prock said.
Prock’s life took a significant turn with the inception of “Show About Sports,” a podcast born out of his love for the game and the way that sports bring people together. What started as a passion project quickly gained traction, leading Prock to be featured as a guest on another well-known sports podcast, “Bench Mob Ent.” “Show About Sports” has now become a space for in-depth sports analysis, heartfelt fan discussions and a celebration of sports culture. Prock’s ability to blend savvy marketing skills with genuine enthusiasm for sports has resonated with a growing audience, propelling “Show About Sports” into the spotlight.
Simultaneously, Prock’s presence on the up-and-coming Meta-owned platform, Threads, has seen a substantial rise. His insightful commentary, coupled with an engaging and personable online persona, has made him a well-known sports influencer on the app. Amidst the highly anticipated Super Bowl LVIII, the official Threads account shouted out Prock as a “National NFL Threader” to follow. Prock’s success on Threads underscores his talent for tapping into the core of the sports community, fostering a space where fans can converge, debate, and celebrate the world of sports.
Today, Prock stands at a crossroads. The success of his podcast and his expanding influence on Threads have presented an opportunity that he could have only dreamed of. The possibility of turning his passion into a full-time career in sports broadcasting and content creation fills Prock with exhilarating hope and is a testament to his courage and dedication.
“I’m really excited about this. I’ve only been doing this since August, and the traction I’m getting on Threads is still growing. My vision is to keep getting attention on Threads and hopefully from other sports influencers as well, and I think something is definitely on the horizon with what I’m doing,” Prock said.
From the sports fields of Redmond, Wash. to the world of social media marketing, Griffin Prock is an example of the possibilities that can unfold when you dare to follow your dreams. As he stands on the brink of a new chapter, Prock’s journey shows how passion, hard work and a bit of risk-taking can pave the way for new forms of success and fulfillment.
Listen to “Show About Sports” on all podcasting platforms and follow Griffin Prock on Threads @griffin_prock