NFL Draft 2018: Shaquem Griffin steals the show at Combine
By Randy Gurzi
After not originally being invited to the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, Shaquem Griffin stole the show, and not just because he’s an inspirational story
When the NFL first invited players to the 2018 Scouting Combine, UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin was not on the list. Then after he showed out at the Senior Bowl, the league realized he deserved to be there and show the world what he could do.
That’s exactly what he did on Sunday as the inspirational Griffin put all his athletic prowess on display.
What makes Griffin’s story so amazing is that he’s been told all his life he won’t be able to make it as a football player. Griffin lost his left hand at the age of four because of a condition he was born with. Despite that, he’s gone on to make a name for himself and will surely hear his name called this April when teams make their selections in the 2018 NFL Draft.
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That won’t come as a surprise to Griffin, who has worked hard his whole life to get where he is. While others may want to put limits on what he can do, Griffin has a simple rebuttal to that.
"“Don’t set limits for me,” Griffin said via Greg Bell of the News Tribune, “because when I wake up in the morning and I brush my teeth and I look at myself in the mirror…it’s up to me to accomplish everything I want out of life.”"
After Sunday, it’s doubtful anyone will try and set limits on what his ceiling is at the next level.
Griffin’s most impressive feat was surely the 4.38-second time in the 40-yard dash, which was the best by any linebacker since 2003. He also had a 117-inch broad jump, but was getting even more praise for his bench press results. With a prosthetic on his left arm, Griffin pushed out 20 bench reps with 225 pounds, which got the attention of everyone.
Just wow. That's former @UCF_Football star @Shaquemgriffin at the NFL Combine putting up 20 reps on the bench press with a prosthetic arm 💪 (via @thecheckdown) https://t.co/LAkIQQEcHt
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) March 3, 2018
Griffin’s twin brother, Shaquill Griffin, is a cornerback in the NFL and was taken in the third-round by the Seattle Seahawks. The two played together at UCF and will now both have a shot at being NFL stars.
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Although, Shaquem already has become a huge star. And just think, the NFL almost didn’t even think he was good enough for the Combine.