Linebacker Shaquem Griffin announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday, writing for The Players’ Tribune that he’s looking forward to helping others as part of the NFL Legends Community.
Griffin, who had his left hand amputated at age 4 because of amniotic band syndrome, a congenital condition, became the first player with one hand to be drafted in the NFL’s modern era when the Seattle Seahawks chose him in the fifth round in 2018. It reunited him with his twin brother, Shaquill, then the Seahawks’ starting left cornerback.
The NFL congratulated Griffin on his retirement, tweeting that he is “a true inspiration.”
Shaquem Griffin showed the world anything is possible at the 2018 Combine.
A true inspiration. Congrats on your retirement, @Shaquemgriffin. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zH6yXV0q1O
— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2022
Shaquem Griffin was waived by the Seahawks in 2020 and said Wednesday that his brother stayed with him and skipped practice the next day. His biggest worry was about how he would be perceived.
“I didn’t want people thinking, Aw, the one-handed player got cut. I don’t do sympathy, man. I don’t like people feeling sorry for me,” he wrote. “But at no point did I ever think that that was it for me in the NFL.”
Griffin, 27, was signed to the Seahawks’ practice squad after being waived and promoted to Seattle’s active roster later that season. He appeared in 46 games with the Seahawks in three seasons and had nine tackles, three quarterback hits and a sack. Griffin also had a sack of Aaron Rodgers in the divisional round of the 2019 season, leading to a memorable moment of Shaquem taking down the Green Bay Packers quarterback just before Shaquill arrived, then the brothers celebrating with each other afterward.
The Seahawks congratulated Griffin on his retirement Wednesday and tweeted: “Your story will be remembered for generations.”
A true inspiration on the field. A better person off of it. Your story will be remembered for generations.
Congrats on your…
Source : espn
