NEWSLETTER
One of the more remarkable stories in the NFL comes to an end — at least on the field — today, as Shaquem Griffin calls it a career.
Shaquem Griffin Retires
Linebacker Shaquem Griffin is hanging it up after four seasons in the NFL, a feat in itself that many doubted Griffin would be able to accomplish playing with one hand. In a story in the Player’s Tribune, Griffin refers to himself as “The one-handed linebacker with the twin brother.” Griffin acknowledged the doubt of many that he dealt with during his journey to the NFL.
“The guy a lot of people thought couldn’t play in college and said would never make it to the NFL because nobody with only one hand had ever done that before.”
In an honest and raw discussion, Griffin talks about finding out he was cut by the Seahawks in 2020, bouncing back and forth from their practice squad to their active roster, and working out for teams around the league. But according to Griffin, none of it felt right.
Eventually, Griffin came to the decision that if he couldn’t play with his brother in Jacksonville, he didn’t want to play anymore. He explained that football was always Plan B for him and his brother. Plan A was using football to get a college education.
Now, Griffin will join the NFL’s ‘Legends Program’ in an effort to help inspire and mentor others. Griffin said that he realized that it was time to execute Plan A.
“It’s time for me to execute my Plan A.
Honestly, it’s still a little surreal. After everything I’ve been through in my life — all the hard work, all the doubters — it’s almost unthinkable that I’m hangin’ it up and moving on from the game of football.
“But I know the positive effect I’m having on others. I’m speaking at colleges and universities, talking to football teams, and even presenting to corporate America about never doubting yourself and tirelessly pursuing your dreams. People at companies want to hear what I have to say when actually I’m the one that can learn so much from them. It’s crazy.”
A fantastic story there, and best of luck to Shaquem in his latest ventures.
Chase Young Will Open Season on PUP List
The Washington Commanders announced on Tuesday that they have played Chase Young on the PUP list, meaning that Young will miss at least four regular season games for the Commanders.
Young, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, suffered a torn ACL and MCL on November 14 last season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Reconstructive surgery caused a lengthier recovery for the former Defensive Rookie of the Year.
“As we go through this, it’s hard to predict on recovery time,” Rivera said Tuesday. “This injury is a little bit more severe than the average one is, and because of that, the timeline is a little bit longer. What is that timeline? I can’t tell you.”
Young recorded 7.5 sacks and forced three fumbles for Washington during his rookie season in 2020 but was limited to just 1.5 sacks in nine games last season. Young will be eligible to return on October 9 when the Commanders take on the Tennessee Titans in a Week 5 matchup.
J.C. Jackson Sidelined 2-4 Weeks
The Chargers announced on Tuesday that newly signed cornerback J.C. Jackson will miss two-to-four weeks after undergoing ankle surgery on Tuesday.
Jackson, a 2021 Pro Bowler and second-team All-NFL honoree inked a big five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Chargers in March after spending the beginning of his career with New England. Jackson signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
Jackson logged eight interceptions and a league-high 23 pass defenses for the Patriots last season.
