Griffin's NFL Dream Alive After Seahawks Draft One-handed Linebacker

Los Angeles, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Apr, 2018 ) :Shaquem Griffin's odds-defying football journey is set to continue after the linebacker who lost one hand at the age of four was drafted Saturday by the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks made Griffin the 141st overall pick, in the fifth round, of the 2018 draft -- answering the prayers of a player who had hoped to join his twin brother, Shaquill Griffin, who was drafted by Seattle in the third round last year.

Griffin's left hand was amputated when he was four because of a rare birth defect called Amniotic Band Syndrome. But he enjoyed an outstanding career at the University of Central Florida, where he appeared in 39 games with 26 starts, amassing 175 tackles, 18.

5 sacks two interceptions and 11 passes defended.

His play earned him a first team all-conference selection twice and in 2016 he was the Defensive Player of the Year in the American Athletic Conference. The 6-foot (1.8m), 227 pound (102.97 kg) player impressed at the NFL scouting combine, clocking a blazing 4.38 sec in the 40-yard dash -- first among all linebackers present.

Using a prosthetic on his left arm he posted 20 repetitions on the bench-press as NFL hopefuls were put through their paces by team representatives in March. NFL Network reported that the Seahawks envision Griffin contributing as a pass-rushing outside linebacker and perhaps on special teams.