Shaquem Griffin

Shaquem Griffin was born just minutes after his twin, Shaquill. Both boys went on to become skilled athletes in high school and at the University of Central Florida (UCF), and both entered the NFL after being drafted by the same team—but Shaquem accomplished this with just one hand.

At birth, Griffin experienced a rare condition known as amniotic band syndrome, leading to the amputation of his hand at the age of four. Despite this, his family encouraged him to participate fully in all activities, instilling in him the philosophy of "please don’t tell me what I can’t do."

Griffin's collegiate accomplishments include being named a first-team All-American Athletic Conference linebacker, AAC Defensive Player of the Year, National Champion, and Peach Bowl MVP. His performance at the NFL Combine was groundbreaking, leading to his selection as a linebacker by the Seattle Seahawks, where he played from 2018 to 2020. A career highlight was sacking NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers during the playoffs in 2020. He later joined the Miami Dolphins for the 2021 season and retired from professional football in 2022.

Griffin’s narrative is portrayed in the Emmy award-winning short film "NFL 360: I am Shaquem Griffin" and detailed in the biography "Inseparable: How Family and Sacrifice Forged a Path to the NFL." He continues to be an inspirational speaker, focusing on overcoming adversity and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. His influence extends beyond the field, as evidenced by his public appearances, including a notable commercial during the Super Bowl. Through his speaking engagements, Griffin inspires others to persevere regardless of the challenges they face.