NFL Gets 1st One-Handed Player

Shaquem Griffin had left hand amputated as a child, gets drafted by Seahawks
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 29, 2018 6:37 AM CDT
NFL Gets 1st One-Handed Player
Central Florida's Shaquem Griffin poses for photos on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The Seattle Seahawks used their fifth-round draft pick on Saturday to draft one Shaquem Griffin—and make a little history: The University of Central Florida linebacker has no left hand, reports People, having had it amputated as a child due to chronic pain. "I couldn’t breathe," Griffin said. "I didn’t know what to say. I was trying to get the words out, but I couldn’t talk." Griffin earned his place in the big leagues by helping UCF to an undefeated season, and the AP reports he "blew through the NFL combine with a 4.38 in the 40, sensational lifting work with his prosthetic, and a can-do attitude." The story gets even a little sweeter, because Griffin joins another Griffin on the Seahawks: Twin brother Shaquill, who last year was also drafted out of UCF. (More Shaquem Griffin stories.)

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