On April 28, Shaquem Griffin was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, becoming the first player to ever be drafted without a hand. The twin brother of Hawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin, Shaquem was born with amniotic band syndorme, a disease that caused the fingers in his left hand to not fully develop. His left land was amputated at a young age.
Despite not having one hand, Shaquem, a former linebacker at Central Florida, became the AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 and a Second Team All American in 2017. This wasn't a "feel good" pick by the Seahawks, Shaquem is a great player. And now the team hopes he can do it again at the NFL level.
The NFL video game franchise Madden just released a new trailer for the latest edition of the game to be released in early August. In edition to featuring New York Giants draftee Saquon Barkley and new Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, Shaquem was shown as well. Some wondered if Madden would stay true to the linebacker and not include a left hand. That question was answered, to the pleasure of Shaquem.
In case you missed those moments of Shaquem in the trailer, check out two screenshots below. Staying true to the linebacker is a great move by Madden, and the fact that they had him forcing a fumble on a New England Patriot, no less, must make every Seahawks fan smile from ear to ear.
Madden 19 will hit the shelves on August 10th with a Hall of Fame Edition being released a few days prior.