This last May, history was made in the NFL with the drafting of Shaquem Griffin to the Seattle Seahawks. At the age of four years old Griffin’s left hand had to be amputated due to the rare condition called amniotic band syndrome that he was born with.
However, he decided to not let his physical challenge stop him from pursuing his dreams of playing in the NFL. Instead, he decided to use his situation as ‘fuel to prove that he belonged.”
“There have been so many doubters in everything I do. I still have doubters now,” Griffin told NBCSports.com in an interview.
Griffin may still have doubters, but he will be finding nothing but full support from the Seahawks general manager John Schneider.
“One of the most interesting things about this guy as a football player, is that he makes his plays at critical moments in the game,” Schneider told NBCSports.com. “He doesn’t miss any more tackles than the average linebacker in this draft. The rest of his stuff is just off the charts.”
It is very important to Griffin that he not only proves himself on the football field, but also out in the world as a man of no excuses. In an interview with the Orlando Sentinel, Griffin told the reporter that he believes “God put everyone on the earth for a purpose, and I feel like my purpose is to get away from people making excuses.”
Not only is he already fulfilling his purpose, but he is also proving to be an example for anyone out there who might be struggling with their identity and physical struggles. Griffin has lived his life determined to push through the identity others wanted to place on him and it is inspiring people everywhere.
“I’m never going to look at myself as a guy with a disability. I’m never going to look at myself as having a handicap because if you have a handicap, that means you’re limited to certain things,” Griffin said. “I’m not limited to nothing.”
We are so excited to see the big things that God does in Griffin’s life in this next NFL season!
