Shaquem Griffin May Be Unsigned, But He Is Still Making Major Contributions

Lost in the flurry of free agent signings and blockbuster trades in recent days is that one of the NFL’s most inspirational players is still on the open market.

And that’s OK with Shaquem Griffin. The 26-year-old outside linebacker feels he can contribute to society as much or more off the field than he can on it.

“I stay ready because I want to get ready, so I’m always working out and preparing for whatever opportunity might come along,” Griffin said. “Now that’s I’m older, though, I’m in a spot where my name is starting to have pull in a lot of different areas. The NFL has asked me to be an ambassador and if that’s my role, great.

“My plan is to get ready to get on another team but it’s like now I want to change the narrative and I want to be in place where I can have fun. I’m willing to take the initiative to become an NFL ambassador and be able to start doing things that are definitely bigger than just me catching on with a team.”

Regardless of what happens football-wise from here, Griffin made a lasting impression during the first three seasons of his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks from 2018-20. He appeared in 46 games despite having only one hand.

Despite having his left hand amputated when he was 4 years old, Griffin went on to star at Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Fla., and the University of Central Florida. The Seahawks selected him in the fifth round of the NFL Draft in 2018.

Griffin did not appear in an NFL game last season and was released from the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad in October. However, his unsettled status as a player has not kept Griffin from making an impact, especially with disabled youth.

Griffin is the face of Citi’s #StareAtGreatness campaign, which was launched last summer when Team Citi summer para athletes took to social media and shared their personal stories on what made them “stare-worthy.” The campaign highlighted the phrase “it’s OK to stare” if people are staring at the many accomplishments of the disabled.

“It’s basically given a big platform for athletes with deformities to be able to share the perspective of who we are and what we can do,” Griffin said. “I feel like now being a part of Team Citi makes it more believable for those on the outside looking in and understanding that it’s not about what we cannot do but we can do. Now we need you to be a part of that positive light to push these kids and motivate and make sure they can get to where they want to go.”

Griffin has gone to places that would seem almost impossible considering his condition. However, he has never let the lack of a hand hinder him.

It helped that Griffin had someone to constantly motivate him in twin brother Shaquille, a defensive back with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Shaquem and Shaquille starred together in high school and college and were even in the same Seahawks’ draft class. Seattle picked Shaquille in the third round in ’18.

“We were very, very competitive kids,” Shaquem said with a laugh. “It was just crazy the way we were so competitive, whether it was who got dressed quick, who took the less step walking to school or who ate the most at dinner. We still bring it to this day.”

Shaquem Griffin believes he can still bring it at the NFL level. All he wants is an opportunity.

And it doesn’t come, well he has what might be considered a higher calling.

“It’s very near and dear to my heart,” he said of his work with #StareAtGreatness. “It’s about showing what they can do. You don’t have to ever put limits on yourself.”