How can one be saddened and inspired at the same time? Following the story of Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier.
Now the story has come to a close as Shazier announced his retirement from the NFL Wednesday.
According to ESPN, more than 1,000 days after suffering a severe spinal injury that initially left him unable to walk, the 28-year-old called it a career and no one could be happier for him.
The former Ohio State Buckeye was a first round pick of the 2014 NFL Draft playing four seasons with the Steelers accumulating 299 tackles prior to the life-defying injury.
The two-time Pro-Bowler sustained the injury during the Steelers regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals where he was then rushed to a University of Cincinnati hospital on Dec. 4, 2017 where he underwent spinal stabilization surgery.
Shazier battled his way back to regain movement in his legs the following February and ultimately walked across the stage of AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas to announce the Steelers first-round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.
He has since been seen on social media doing normal human functions such as walking, shopping and even lifting with minimal supervision.
This season, Shazier was placed on Pittsburgh’s reserved/retired list in an administrative move that kept him a member of the organization and now the young former inside linebacker can continue to live his life to the fullest enjoying his body’s continued journey towards recovery.
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