Ryan Shazier walks across stage at NFL draft, leaves crowd stunned
The most emotional moment from Thursday’s first round of the NFL draft occurred when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell introduced a surprise guest to announce the Steelers’ selection with the 28th pick.
“We are honored to have with us an extraordinary man who continues to amaze us with his unyielding determination and unwavering spirit. We are so proud of him and he inspires us all. Please welcome, joined by his fiancee, Michelle, Ryan Shazier,” said Goodell.
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/989707301048102912
The crowd at AT&T Stadium in Dallas cheered as Shazier slowly walked on stage, holding the hand of his fiancee. It was quite a scene, considering all that Shazier has gone through to get there.
On Dec. 4, the Pittsburgh linebacker suffered a devastating spinal cord injury against the Bengals that left him motionless on the field.
Shazier lost feeling in his legs, and in the weeks after the injury, many were left to wonder whether he would walk again.
But he made a remarkable recovery and by Feb. 1 was on his feet after being released from the hospital.
Today Ryan Shazier was released from the hospital and will continue his rehab in outpatient care!! Congrats @RyanShazier we stand behind you!!! pic.twitter.com/sYzqP78JTc
— SteelerNation (@steelernation) February 1, 2018
Soon, Shazier was walking again and going through rehab.
“First and foremost, I want to thank God because at the end of the day I don’t think I’d be making progress without His vision and hands protecting me and my family. I will continue to trust in Him and thank Him, because it all starts with Him,” he said in early February.
The Steelers confirmed that he won’t be playing in 2018, but Shazier said he is committed to returning to the field.
“I really feel I’m the best linebacker ever,” Shazier said, reported NBC Sports in late February. “I just got to be back out there so everybody can see it. You know what I’m saying?”
“I’m really trusting the process,” he added. “I know the end goal. So I’m taking every step of the way, I’m giving everything I got. The therapists are like, ‘Man this is crazy; I’ve never seen anyone work this hard.’ They almost see progression every day.”
At the draft, Shazier introduced Terrell Edmunds as the Steelers 28th pick. Edmonds, a safety out of Virginia Tech, is the brother of Tremaine Edmunds, a Hokies linebacker who was taken by the Bills with the 16th pick.
This is the first time ever that brothers have gone in the first round of the same NFL Draft.
– Tremaine Edmunds: 16th pick to Bills.
– Terrell Edmunds: 28th pick to Steelers.(via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/e1VLoQnpcC
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) April 27, 2018
But the moment belonged to Shazier. His fiancee, Michelle, wiped away tears as she stood alongside Goodell while Shazier was at the podium.
https://twitter.com/truRAR/status/989711227503988736
Certainly Steelers fans, and football fans around the country, were touched as well by the sight of Shazier on the road to recovery.
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