Determined to make a difference despite everything, Shaquem Griffin was born with an amniotic fluid disorder that resulted in a hand amputation. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks with the 141st pick. The successful draft reunited him with his professional NFL twin brother, who he had a lot of fun with since childhood. His story is an inspiration to so many – learn how he turned his pain into glory.
Shaquem Griffin – Organic
It was on July 20, 1995 in St. Petersburg, Florida that Shaquem Alphonso Griffin was born just minutes after his identical twin brother; Shaquill Griffin was extradited to Tangie and Terry Griffin. His mother is a medical data analyst and his father worked as a truck driver.
Even though they were born twins, Shaquem came down with amniotic band syndrome, a disorder that affected his left finger/hand and caused severe pain. When the pain became unbearable for young Shaquem, he attempted to cut off his hand with a kitchen knife, and so the parents saw the need to amputate the young boy.
The hand was officially amputated at age4 to relieve pain caused by the disorder. A talented athlete with determination, he kept his eyes on the pitch and played soccer alongside his twin brother.
He graduated from Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg Florida where he excelled in baseball, track and field and football. After the great stats he picked up in high school, coach George O’Leary offered the two brothers a football scholarship to the University of Florida, where Shaquem set significant records to his name.
The arrival of a new coach, Scott Frost, opened the door for Shaquem. He got the chance to play and proved his worth. During his junior season as a starter in 2016, he was named the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Defensive Player of the Year. He also won the All-Conference First-Team honor in 2017.
After immensely helping his team go on an undefeated 13-0 run in his senior year, he was honored with defensive MVP at the 2018 Peach Bowl. While Shaquill, his brother, graduated before Shaquem to enter the 2017 draft, Shaquem stayed in the UCF an extra season to complete his redshirt season.
Before graduating from high school in November 2017, Shaquem announced his intention to pursue his football career in the NFL and attended the NFL Scouting Combine in March 2018, where he showed evaluators that he has what it takes to play professionally. He made headlines for 20 reps on the bench press while wearing prosthetics and completed a 40-yard sprint in 4.38 seconds — the fastest a linebacker has ridden since 2003.
Though he wasn’t projected as a first round pick, he eventually received an invitation to the 2018 NFL draft, which he accepted in March 2018. Mainstream and social media approved of Shaquem’s invitation as he would be the first single-handed player to be drafted into the NFL should he be selected.
His greatest dream of being an NFL player came true on April 28, 2018 when Seattle Seahawks drafted him in the fifth round with the 141st overall pick. The draft reunited him with his twin brother, who had been selected by the same team last year.
He officially signed a four-year contract with the team on May 17, 2018, valued at $2.8 million with a $300,000 guarantee. He faced the Indianapolis Colts preseason on August 9, 2018, where he recorded six solo tackles and three assisted tackles.
He has since started his pro career in fine form and would make more history in the game he dreamed of so much.
His brother
The linebacker recalled how his father made him believe he could play football despite his challenges and would often help him work out with no excuses by building all sorts of machines to help him lift weights.
As previously mentioned, Shaquem is a twin brother to Shaquill Griffin and they are pretty much identical. Have most things in common, including date of birth; They attended the same high school and college and currently serve on the same team in the NFL.
Although Shaquill joined the Seahawks as his twin brother, who was selected in the third round with the 90th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft, he had to spend another year with the UFC to serve his redshirt season before joining his brother in 2018 same team changed.
Both have remained an inspiration and a source of mutual courage. Shaquill plays as a cornerback for the Seahawks and wears the number 26 jersey.
Height, weight and body measurements
Shaquem Griffin is a great speed player, as shown when he completed a 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds. Moreso, he has a great physique as he can’t be missed in the list of NFL players who are under 6ft.
The Seahawks linebacker currently stands at 6 ft 0 (1.83 m), the height is equally secured with an impressive weight of 103 kg. He has an arm length of 0.82 m and a hand size of 0.23 m.