Shaquem Griffin, the former Central Florida linebacker who had his left hand amputated as a child, has taken the spotlight at the NFL scouting combine.
Griffin is not simply feel-good story; he’s a darn good athlete and arguably one of the top linebackers in the class of 2018.
After recording 20 reps on the 225-pound bench press while wearing a prosthetic, Griffin ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds Sunday, the fastest by a linebacker since 2003.
WOW. 😱😱😱 just ran a 4.38u 40-yard dash!
The fastest LB at the since 2003.
📺:
— NFL (@NFL)
Using a prosthetic on his left arm, just put up 20 reps on the bench press! 💪
📺:
— NFL (@NFL)
“Just from the standpoint of a football evaluator, he’s a helluva player. I couldn’t believe he got the late invite here. He was really good on tape,” NFL.com’s draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “He was the conference player of the year two years ago. This is a legitimate football player. Forget about the deformity or whatever you want to call what he has. He’s an energy giver.”
For a combine comparison, Broncos linebacker Von Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in 2011, had 21 reps on the bench and ran a 4.53-second 40. His showing in Indianapolis is still widely regarded as one of the best in recent years, and rightfully so.
At the Senior Bowl in January, Griffin was asked which pro players he admired and even tried to emulate. Immediately he responded with one name.
“Von Miller. Watching his pass rush is unbelievable,” Griffin said. “The way he uses his speed, the way he uses his power, it reminds me of myself because he just has an amazing first step. He’s very explosive, and he’s light on his feet. I mean, he’s got cleats with feathers on (them).”
I would love to play with this guy! Salute ✊🏾
— Von Miller (@VonMiller)
I see you Fam!!! Showing you to my kids!!! The meaning of keep killing that combine! .
— AqibTalib21 (@AqibTalib21)
Thatap crazy. You see when you don’t set limitations on yourself no matter the circumstances, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. You got my vote!
— D-Ware (@DeMarcusWare)
Dominate !! Set the bar!
— D-Ware (@DeMarcusWare)
Shaquem Griffin killing it.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt)
sheeeeeeeeeesh
— AB (@AB84)
The kid got track speed too!! Damn!! 🔥🍿👌🏾 I ran a 4.63 @ the
— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens)
you are straight balling man! You gon mess around and get the call. Lol "If you ball u get the call"
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders)
Wow griffin blazing 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Travis Benjamin (@TravisBenjamin3)
💨💨💨💨
— CJ SPILLER (@CJSPILLER)
This dude right here man 🙌🏿
— H U M P (@74_hump)
Impressive 🙌🏿
— Ty Hill (@cheetah)
I love it!
— Kwon Alexander (@kwon)
I want this guy , I need this guy = BEAST !!!!
— OJ Howard (@TheRealOjHoward)
🔥🔥🔥
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era)
Shaquem Griffin was flying 😳😳 he 4.38 lol he not messing around!!!
— Ryan Shazier (@RyanShazier)
https://twitter.com/shonrp2/status/970371526380998656
4.38 man!!!!
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes)
Oh my Goodness!! 4.38 unofficial, hold on!! Nah we gotta race…!!
— Budda Baker (@Buddabaker3)
Shaquem Griffin running his 4.38. I’ve watched the combine for years and I doubt I’ve heard Mayock make this noise at the end of the run in excitement.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz)
No freakin way that boy just got paid 💰💰💰💰
— Chris Baker (@cbakerswaggy)
Wow
— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11)
Everyone please remove can’t from your vocabulary!!
— Ian Williams (@IWilliams95)
Lord have mercy !!! 💸💸💴💴💶💶💷💵💰💳💳💳💰💰💰💰💵💵💴💶💷💷💵💸💸
— Donovan Smith (@DSmith_76)
Fxckin RITE 727❗️❗️🌟
— Dante fowler (@dantefowler)
Instant fan of this dude. He’s shutting the combine down. In this case Adversity created a beast !
— DeVier Posey (@DPo8)
