NFL’s Shaquem Griffin, First Player Drafted With Only One Hand, Retires at 27
By Movieguide® Staff
Shaquem Griffin, the first one-handed player drafted into the NFL, recently announced his retirement.
The 27-year-old was drafted in 2018 to the Seattle Seahawks, where he had the opportunity to play alongside his twin brother, Shaquill Griffin.
However, after he left the Seahawks in 2021, Griffin realized he did not want anything more from football.
“I worked out for the Cardinals, the Titans, and the Jets, and then I got calls from Buffalo, Dallas and Atlanta,” Shaquem wrote. “But after that Jets workout, I realized something.
“All this traveling around, working out for teams, trying to catch on somewhere, trying to hang on — it wasn’t what I wanted,” he continued. “Football had already given me so much, and the only thing I still really wanted from the game was to play with my brother again.”
Instead, Griffin said he joined the NFL’s Legends Community, which seeks to help retired players and mentor current players.
“As kids, we had dreamed of playing together in the NFL, but whenever we talked about it, our dad would remind us that if we made it to the league — especially if we got to play together — that would be an added blessing,” Shaquem said of his family. “A bonus.”
“Plan A was to go to college, get an education and do something that would make a positive impact in the world,” he added.
Shaquem had his left hand amputated after he was born with a congenital condition that caused him pain as a child.
His former team, the Seahawks, thanked Shaquem for his time in the NFL and the inspiration he provided for others.
“Your story will be remembered for generations,” a post on Twitter read. “Congrats on your retirement, @Shaquemgriffin.”
In an article from Forbes, Griffin opened up about his biggest support during his journey to the NFL, his faith in God.
“I definitely have a greater relationship with God,” he told Forbes. “I always had faith and belief in God and always prayed and things of that nature, but after my injury I really opened myself up to the greatness of God, what he does in people’s lives even if we don’t understand why. But if you do the right things and be a good person there are places I got to go, people that I met, things I got to do are just blessings and goes to show you if you continue to do good in this world and do right by people, God will bless you.
“The way that [Faith has] impacted my career is I found time to sit back and use prayer as a big motivation for me,” he added. “It was tough in college and my mom and the rest of my family would form a prayer line and pray for me and that really saved me. I felt the power and love and it really inspired me to keep pushing.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
