Shaquem Griffin Siblings: Meet Shaquill Griffin

Shaquem Griffin is an American former professional football player who rose to prominence as one of the most inspirational figures in the NFL.

Born on July 20, 1995, in St. Petersburg, Florida, Griffin was diagnosed with amniotic band syndrome at birth, a condition that severely underdeveloped his left hand and caused him excruciating pain throughout his early childhood.

By the age of four, the discomfort became unbearable, leading him to attempt to sever the hand himself with a butcher knife, an incident that prompted his parents, Terry and Tangie Griffin, to arrange for its amputation the following day.

Despite this life-altering surgery, Griffin refused to let it define him, channeling his energy into sports like football, track, and baseball, where he demonstrated remarkable adaptability and determination.

Griffin played as an outside linebacker, known for his explosive speed, he once ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine with a prosthetic, and his unyielding work ethic.

Off the field, he has transitioned into roles as a motivational speaker, author, philanthropist, and NFL Legends Community Coordinator.

Siblings

Shaquem has an identical twin brother, Shaquill Griffin, who was born just one minute earlier on the same day in 1995.

Growing up in St. Petersburg, the twins were inseparable, competing together in multiple sports despite Shaquem’s physical limitations; Shaquill even adjusted his own playing style to accommodate his brother, such as hiding his left hand in his pocket during school to help Shaquem pass classes by switching identities when needed.

Their relationship reached a poignant milestone in the NFL when Shaquem was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2018, reuniting him with Shaquill, who had been selected by the same team a year prior.

Career

At Lakewood High School, Griffin excelled as a standout linebacker and running back, earning local recognition that propelled him to the University of Central Florida, where he redshirted his freshman year to build strength.

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Over four seasons with the UCF Knights from 2013 to 2017, Griffin amassed an impressive 17 sacks and 30 tackles for loss, peaking in his junior year with 92 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks, stats that ranked him among the nation’s elite defenders.

His senior season capped a storybook run, as UCF finished undefeated at 13-0, claiming a national championship in Griffin’s eyes, though it was later vacated due to sanctions; he contributed decisively in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl victory over Auburn.

Entering the 2018 NFL Draft as a fifth-round prospect (141st overall) selected by the Seattle Seahawks, Griffin made history as the first modern-era player with one hand to be drafted, fulfilling a childhood pact with his brother to play professionally together.

In Seattle from 2018 to 2020, he appeared in 46 games with one start, primarily on special teams, recording 25 tackles, one sack, and six quarterback hits, including a memorable playoff sack against the Green Bay Packers in 2019.

Waived by the Seahawks in 2020, he briefly joined the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad in 2021 before retiring in the 2022 offseason at age 26, citing a desire to pivot to mentorship and business ventures.

Post-retirement, Griffin has embraced entrepreneurship as a venture capital advisor, tech investor, and ambassador for startups like SmartARM, while serving as a BIG12 Alumni Counsel member and NFL Legends Community Coordinator for the Southeast region.

Accolades

In high school, Griffin received the LHS Award and the 2012 Mike June Courage Award, along with a key to the city from the St. Petersburg mayor for his perseverance.

At UCF, his dominance shone through with the 2016 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Conference honors, where he led the team in tackles for loss and sacks; he was also named to prestigious watch lists like the Butkus Award and Nagurski Trophy.

His senior year brought the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Defensive MVP after a standout performance in the 34-27 win over Auburn, plus ESPN All-Bowl Team recognition and the 2018 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award.

Transitioning to the pros, Griffin captured the inaugural 2018 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award for his leadership and the NFL Game Changer Award presented by Gillette, acknowledging his positive contributions to football and society.

In 2019, he was one of two recipients of the NCAA Inspiration Award for overcoming life-altering challenges, and he contributed to a Sports Emmy-winning segment on his story.

Nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and a finalist for the National Student-Athlete Day Giant Steps Award in the Courageous Student-Athlete category, Griffin’s accolades culminated in his 2024 induction into the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame.