Linebacker Shaquem Griffin announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday, writing for The Players’ Tribune. Check out full news here.
Shaquem Griffin : Seahawks | Hand | Position | Retire
Shaquem Griffin was born to Terry and Tangie Griffin on July 20, 1995, in St. Petersburg Florida, less than two minutes after Shaquill.
| Career information | |
|---|---|
| High school: | Lakewood (St. Petersburg, Florida) |
| College: | UCF (2013–2017) |
| NFL Draft: | 2018 / Round: 5 / Pick: 141 |
| Career history | |
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Shaquem was born with amniotic band syndrome affecting his left hand, causing his fingers on his left hand not to fully develop.
The pain was so intense that at 4 years of age he grabbed a butcher knife, planning to cut the hand off. His mother took the knife away, and his parents scheduled an amputation the next day.
Still, Griffin was able to continue playing sports without his left hand, competing in track, baseball, and football alongside his brother.
Seahawks
On April 28, 2018, he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round (141st overall), reuniting him with his brother Shaquill.
On May 17, 2018, Griffin signed a four-year deal worth $2.8 million with $300,000 guaranteed.
Then on August 9, 2018, Griffin made his preseason debut against the Indianapolis Colts in CenturyLink Field, leading his team in tackles with six solo tackles and three assisted tackles.
And on August 30, 2018, he again led the team in tackles with four solo and three assisted tackles in the final week of the preseason against the Oakland Raiders.
Griffin led the Seahawks in total tackles for the entire 2018 NFL preseason with fifteen, tied with fellow linebacker Austin Calitro.
Shaquem Griffin hand
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.
Not many athletes have played with disabilities like this, so his story is an encouraging one. The hand was amputated when Griffin was very young.
Shaquem Griffin’s left hand was underdeveloped and often brought him pain, which forced him to have it amputated in 1999.
Position
Shaquem Alphonso Griffin (born July 20, 1995) is a former American football linebacker.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | July 20, 1995 St. Petersburg, Florida |
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Position: | Linebacker |
As a senior, he helped Lakewood reach the 2012 Florida 5A regional semifinals. He earned Second Team 5A All-State and Tampa Bay Times Second Team All-Suncoast honors. He played in the 2012 Florida Athletic Coaches Association North-South All-Star Game.
USA Football selected him to the 2013 U.S. Under-19 National Team, playing for whom earned him national attention after an interception by Griffin landed on ESPN’s Top 10 Plays.
Retire
Griffin announced his retirement from football Wednesday in a self-written post at The Players’ Tribune — titled “Plan A” — but he’s not leaving the NFL.
At a recent meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Griffin accepted a position to join the league’s NFL Legends Community, assisting retired players and helping mentor current and former players on “everything from the transition into and out of the game to how to navigate mental health issues.
It’s a resource to provide guidance and support to players in whatever they might be going through or trying to achieve, including assisting with community service initiatives,” Griffin wrote.