Griffin soaks in cheers while walking NFL draft red carpet
ARLINGTON, Texas — Some of the loudest cheers from fans during the red-carpet experience Thursday at the NFL Draft were for UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin as his arrival was announced to the crowd gathered outside AT&T Stadium.
Griffin, who had to await a late invitation to the NFL combine, was one of 23 players invited to enjoy the draft atmosphere during Thursday’s first round even though the linebacker, whose welldocumented ability to play with one hand has taken the nation by storm, will not likely be drafted until late in today’s second or third round.
He showed up with his customary two-tone, dread-locked hair tied atop his head. He was wearing a blue blazer with a camouflagelike pattern of black and navy designs with a black necktie, white dress shirt and he had on wirerimmed glasses. His mother and father Tangie and Terry Griffin and two young cousins joined him on the red-carpet walk.
Tangie was excited to show off her black dress, which she had custom made for her by Essence Flowers of St. Petersburg. The dress was decorated in a peacock tail-like floral pattern in silver. Dad wore a blue blazer with a silver and blue floral pattern and black lapel with a black bow tie and gray dress shirt.
NFL Network stopped him for an exclusive interview as he strolled the carpet, asking him about his hand and what transpired when prior to having his left hand amputated.
“When I was 4 years old, I was caught in the kitchen trying to remove my own fingers. My mom caught me in the kitchen, took a knife from me and the next day I