Shaquem Griffin became the first one-handed person drafted by the NFL in April
Rookie line backer Shaquem Griffin will become the first one-handed person to play in the NFL on Saturday after it was announced by the Seattle Seahawks that he will feature against the Denver Broncos in their regular season opener.
Griffin was drafted by the Seahawks with the 141st pick in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft on April 28, 2018, and has featured in a number of pre-season match ups for the Super Bowl XLVIII, impressing coach Pete Carroll throughout.
When they take to the field on Saturday, Shaquem and his fellow Seahawks player and twin Shaquill will become one of the few twins to play together on the same NFL team.
Griffin was born with a condition known amniotic band syndrome affecting his left hand. The condition occurs when faetal parts are fibrous trapped in amniotic bands while in utero.
At the age of four his mother is said to have walked into the family’s kitchen to find Shaquem attempting to self-amputate his fingers due to the extent of the pain. The next day he underwent surgery to have his hand amputated.
Despite the surgery, Griffin went on to have a successful sporting career in high school and college, and on Saturday will likely become the first amputee to ever play in the NFL.
