Shaquem Griffin facts for kids
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Griffin with the University of Central Florida Knights in 2017
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| No. 49, 53 | |||||
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | July 20, 1995 St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 227 lb (103 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Lakewood (St. Petersburg, Florida) |
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| College: | UCF (2013–2017) | ||||
| NFL Draft: | 2018 / Round: 5 / Pick: 141 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||
Shaquem Griffin (born July 20, 1995) is an American former professional football player. He was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons. Shaquem is known for his inspiring journey, as he played football at the highest level despite having only one hand.
He is the twin brother of Minnesota Vikings player Shaquill Griffin. Both brothers played college football together at the University of Central Florida (UCF). When Shaquem was 4 years old, his left hand was amputated. His story gained a lot of attention before the 2018 NFL draft. The Seattle Seahawks chose him in the fifth round of the draft, which reunited him with his brother Shaquill on the same team.
Griffin played with the Seahawks for three seasons. After that, he spent some time with the Miami Dolphins' practice squad in 2021. He officially retired from football in 2022.
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Early Life and Overcoming Challenges
Shaquem Griffin was born on July 20, 1995, in St. Petersburg, Florida. He arrived less than two minutes after his twin brother, Shaquill. Shaquem was born with a condition called amniotic band syndrome. This condition affected his left hand, causing his fingers not to grow fully.
The pain from his hand was very strong. When he was 4 years old, he tried to cut his hand off to stop the pain. His mother quickly took the knife away. The next day, his parents scheduled an amputation for his left hand.
Even without his left hand, Shaquem continued to play sports. He competed in track, baseball, and football. He always played alongside his brother, Shaquill. This showed his incredible determination from a young age.
College Football Journey
Shaquem and his brother Shaquill both received football scholarships to the University of Central Florida (UCF). Shaquill even turned down offers from other big teams, like the Miami Hurricanes, so he could play with Shaquem.
Shaquem spent his entire college career at UCF. He made many impressive plays, including 17 sacks and 30 tackles that stopped opponents for a loss. He also had an interception against the Temple Owls and recovered a fumble for a touchdown against the Austin Peay Governors, both in the 2017 season.
In his second year, Shaquem had a tough time, being moved down the team's depth chart. However, his career changed when Scott Frost became the head coach for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Shaquem later shared that Coach Frost gave him the chance he had been waiting for, and he took full advantage of it.
Griffin was named the Defensive MVP of the 2018 Peach Bowl. He also earned the title of 2016 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In his final year at UCF, the team had an amazing undefeated season and claimed a national championship.
Shaquem stayed at UCF one season longer than Shaquill. This was because Shaquem had a redshirt year, meaning he didn't play in games during his first year. Shaquill was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2017, while Shaquem continued to play for UCF.
After his college career, Shaquem received the 2019 NCAA Inspiration Award. This award honors athletes who show inspiring efforts in dealing with major life challenges.
Professional Football Career
Getting Ready for the NFL Draft
Shaquem Griffin did not initially receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. This is a big event where college players show off their skills to NFL teams. However, he was later invited and made a huge impression in March 2018.
He became famous for doing 20 reps (repetitions) in the bench press while wearing a special prosthesis. He also ran the 40-yard dash in an incredibly fast 4.38 seconds. This was the fastest time for a linebacker since the NFL started keeping official records.
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Even though he wasn't expected to be a first-round pick, Griffin received an invitation to the 2018 NFL draft. He accepted on March 29, 2018. Leading up to and during the draft, Shaquem received a lot of attention from the media and on social media. Many people were excited about the possibility of him becoming the first one-handed player drafted into the NFL.
Playing for the Seattle Seahawks
On April 28, 2018, the Seattle Seahawks selected Shaquem Griffin in the fifth round of the draft. He was the 141st player chosen overall. This pick was special because it reunited him with his brother, Shaquill, on the same team. On May 17, 2018, Griffin signed a four-year contract with the Seahawks.
Shaquem made his first preseason appearance on August 9, 2018, against the Indianapolis Colts. He led his team in tackles in that game. He continued to impress, leading the Seahawks in total tackles during the entire 2018 NFL preseason.
In his very first NFL regular season game on September 9, 2018, Griffin started as a linebacker. He finished his rookie season having played in all 16 games, making 11 total tackles. He was also an important player on the team's special teams.
In the 2019 season, Griffin played in all 16 games again. He continued to be a key player on special teams. Towards the end of the season, he also contributed more to the defense. In a playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, Griffin recorded one sack on quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Shaquem was briefly waived by the Seahawks in 2020 but quickly re-signed to the team's practice squad. He was later promoted back to the active roster. In Week 14 of the 2020 season, he recorded another sack against the New York Jets. He finished the 2020 season with one sack, nine total tackles, and one pass defended in 14 games.
Time with the Miami Dolphins
On July 23, 2021, Griffin agreed to a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. He was waived by the team on August 31, 2021, but then re-signed to their practice squad. He was released from the practice squad on October 19, 2021.
Retirement from Football
On August 24, 2022, Shaquem Griffin announced that he was retiring from professional football. He had played for four seasons in the NFL.
Personal Life and Achievements
During his high school years, Shaquem Griffin received several awards. These included the United States Achievement Academy Student of Excellence Award and the Mr. LHS Award for Lakewood High School. He also earned the 2012 Mike June Courage Award. The mayor of St. Petersburg, his hometown, even presented him with a "key to the city."
Shaquem and his twin brother, Shaquill, are very close. They founded a track club together in their hometown of St. Petersburg.
Works
- Shaquem Griffin & Shaquill Griffin with Mark Schlabach, Inseparable: How Family and Sacrifice Forged a Path to the NFL. (2019) ISBN: 978-0-7852-3081-6.
