Is Shaquem Griffin Still In The NFL?

As of September 2020, Shaquem Griffin is still in the NFL. He is currently a free agent, but he has played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals in the past.

Early Life and College Career

Shaquem Griffin was born on July 20, 1995, in St. Petersburg, Florida to parents Shaquem Sr. and Tangie Griffin. As a child, Shaquem had to have his left hand amputated due to a rare birth condition known as Amniotic Band Syndrome. Despite this, Shaquem was determined to play sports and excel in everything he did. He went on to play football, baseball, and track in high school. In college, he played for the University of Central Florida where he was a two-time American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Shaquem’s Early Life

Shaquem Griffin was born on July 20, 1995, in St. Petersburg, Florida, to Tangie and Terry Griffin. Shaquem’s younger brother, Shaquill, was born two minutes after him. When Shaquem was four years old, he lost his left hand due to amniotic band syndrome, a congenital condition that occurs when the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus tears away from the wall of the uterus, causing constriction of various extremities. Despite this setback, Shaquem remained active in sports throughout his childhood and even played organized football with his brother in youth leagues.

In high school, Shaquem played both wide receiver and defensive back for Lakewood High School. He was named first-team all-conference as a senior after finishing the season with 12 catches for 247 yards and three touchdowns on offense and 49 tackles, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles on defense. Griffin was also a standout track & field athlete at Lakewood and competed in the state championships in the long jump as a junior.

Shaquem’s College Career

At the University of Central Florida, Shaquem Griffin was a linebacker for the UCF Knights from 2013 to 2016. He was a two-time American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and helped lead the Knights to a 13-0 record and a Peach Bowl victory in his final season. Griffin was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, becoming the first one-handed player to be drafted into the league in over 20 years.

He played in all 16 games as a rookie, primarily on special teams, and recorded 23 tackles and one sack. In 2019, he started nine games at weakside linebacker due to injuries to Mychal Kendricks and K.J. Wright, tallying 66 tackles and two sacks on the season.

NFL Career

Shaquem Griffin was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 5th round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was the first one-handed player to ever be drafted in the NFL. He played college football at the University of Central Florida. Shaquem Griffin’s NFL career came to an end when he was cut by the Seahawks on September 5, 2020.

Shaquem’s NFL Career

Shaquem Griffin was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played college football at UCF, and was picked by the Seahawks after he had a stellar performance at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash.

Griffin made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2018 season against the Broncos and recorded one tackle. He played in all 16 games for the Seahawks that season, starting four, and recorded 24 tackles, one sack, one interception, and four passes defensed.

In 2019, Griffin played in all 16 games for the Seahawks again, starting eight, and recorded 68 tackles, two sacks, one interception, and five passes defensed.

The 2020 season was Griffin’s best yet as he started all 16 games for the Seahawks and recorded a career-high 104 tackles to go along with one sack, two interceptions (one of which he returned for a touchdown), and six passes defensed. He was named a Second-team All-Pro for his efforts.

Griffin is currently head into the final year of his rookie contract and is set to become a free agent after the 2021 season.

Shaquem’s Future in the NFL

Shaquem Griffin was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 5th round of the 2018 NFL draft. He made history as the first one-handed player to ever be drafted into the NFL. He played his entire rookie season with the Seahawks, starting in one game and recording three tackles.

In 2019, he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals. He started in eight games for the Cardinals, recording a career-high 29 tackles. In 2020, he became a free agent. As of 2021, he is not currently signed to any team but is still training and hopes to continue his NFL career.