Griffin becomes first one-handed player selected
ARLINGTON, TEXAS — Shaquem Griffin became the first one-handed player ever to be selected in the NFL draft on Saturday, and he was elated to finally hear his name. The elation became even greater when he learned that he will reunite with his twin brother Shaquill Griffin and the Seattle Seahawks.
It was a long wait for Griffin, but the former UCF linebacker got the call from the Seahawks at about 2 p.m. (EST) with the news that he would be the 141st overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft’s fifth round.
Griffin waited during the first two days of the draft in the green room of AT&T Stadium’s backdrop while player after player had their names announced. After the third round Friday night, 10 linebackers had been selected, including seven outside linebackers, where Griffin will play at the next level.
The fourth selection of Saturday’s fifth round, Griffin was the 14th linebacker taken overall and eighth outside linebacker. Shaquill Griffin, who started 11 games at cornerback for the Seahawks this past season, was a third-round selection last year, the No. 90 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was one of the first players to welcome Shaquem to the family, tweeting via his @DangeRussWilson Twitter account: “Wow. Chills. God is so good! Great job @Seahawks Congrats @ShaquemGriffin & @ShaquillG ”
The Griffins decided not to return to the draft venue Saturday, instead waiting to hear the news at a nearby Arlington hotel.
He remained surrounded by his family, including twin Shaquill, who also starred at UCF and was a rookie cornerback with the Seahawks this past season.
He was accompanied at the draft by his parents. Tangie and Terry Griffin. and about 23 other friends and family members during the week. He walked the red carpet Thursday afternoon with his parents and his niece and nephew as part of a group of 23 players who were invited to the opening festivities for the 2018 NFL Draft.
By the end of Friday night, Shaquem was the lone invited player still waiting to hear his name called. Two other players had slipped to Day 2 — offensive guard Connor Williams of Texas went to the hometown Dallas Cowboys as the No. 50 overall pick and running back Derrius Guice of LSU was picked by the Washington Redskins as the 59th overall selection.
Griffin was named the American Athletic Conference defensive player of the year in 2016 after racking up 92 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.
This past season he led the unbeaten Knights in sacks with seven and tackles for loss with 13.4. He was third on the UCF defense in tackles with 74 and he had one interception
Griffin signed an endorsement contract with Nike on Friday prior to the start of the second round. He then tweeted out via his @shaquemgriffin Twitter account, “Never doubt heart. Excited to announce I’m joining the @usnikefootball fam. Let’s work! #againstallodds.”