Former linebacker Shaquem Griffin, who made it to the NFL despite having his hand amputated when he was 4 years old, will share his inspirational story at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium at Penn State Berks.
WYOMISSING, Pa. — Shaquem Griffin was born just minutes after his twin brother, Shaquill. Both boys went on to become remarkable athletes in high school and college at the University of Central Florida, and both have played in the NFL after being drafted by the same team — the only difference is Shaquem Griffin did it all with just one hand. He will share his inspirational story at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium at Penn State Berks. This event is free and open to the public.
At birth, Griffin experienced a rare condition called amniotic band syndrome and his hand ultimately had to be amputated when he was 4 years old. His family refused to treat him any differently than his brother, and from the time he could say the words, his motto has been, “Please don’t tell me what I can’t do.”
Griffin's collegiate accomplishments include first-team All-American Athletic Conference linebacker, AAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Peach Bowl MVP. After a historic performance at the NFL Combine, he was selected as a linebacker by Seattle, playing for the Seahawks from 2018 to 2020. He signed with the Miami Dolphins for the 2021 season. Griffin announced his retirement from the NFL on Aug. 24.
Griffin's story is captured in the Emmy award-winning short film "NFL 360: I am Shaquem Griffin and in his biography titled Inseparable: How Family and Sacrifice Forged a Path to the NFL."
Penn State Berks reserves the right to limit the photography and/or recording of any program. The permitted or prohibited activities during a particular program will be announced at the beginning of the event and/or included in the printed program. All media requesting interviews and/or access to photograph and/or tape any program must contact the Office of Strategic Communications at 610-396-6053.
This event is sponsored by the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.
