Seattle Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin, 23, has climbed the rungs of the NFL ladder with extraordinary speed despite a visible disability: he only has one hand.
Shaquem suffered a deformity in the womb and doctors noticed that his hand was not developing normally. The young Shaquem lived for the first years of his life with the improperly developed hand; however, the pain soon became unbearable, and his hand was amputated.
Shaquem’s parents were determined that their son wouldn’t be treated any differently to his peers. And it seems the rising football star adopted this mentality: he certainly hasn’t let his “disability” hold him back!
The football star’s talent and rise to success, despite his difference, has garnered him a huge fan base. But Shaquem is keen to give back to the community that has supported him throughout his successful career, too. As such, he recently visited the “Against All Odds” event on Feb. 10 at the Brooks Rehabilitation Center in Jacksonville, Florida.
He made a significant connection.
A little boy named Joseph, or “JoJo” as his football-loving family call him, has the same affliction as Shaquem: he also only has one hand. The kindly NFL star interacted with the little boy, and we’re sure the meeting left its mark. As JoJo gets older and looks back on the photos—we’re sure his doting parents took hundreds!—the significance of his meeting with Shaquem will increase exponentially.
“I was so impressed with the way you made the young man [feel] so special,” responded one supportive fan. “He will have lifetime memories.”
Success certainly hasn’t compromised Shaquem’s principles.
The NFL star has conviction that he’ll always use his visibility in the public eye to fight for equality. He made it to where he is with a significant physical disability: there’s no reason why any child should be held back for being different to their peers.
Shaquem, the NFL are right: you truly are a game changer.
