Signing day is one of the biggest days in college football and that was true for defensive prospect Shaquem Griffin, who signed a division one scholarship with Central Florida on Wednesday. Making the move even more amazing is that Griffin is one-handed.
According to Yahoo Sports, Griffin and his twin brother Shaquill have signed with UCF and the two played in the International Bowl on Tuesday night, whch features some of the top high school students against other football players around the world. Griffin made a highlight interception that later made it onto the SportsCenter top 10 after he intercepted a ball that was tipped twice in the secondary.
The report says that Griffin suffers from was a victim of Amniotic Band Syndrome, a problem affecting fetuses in utero in which a portion of the amniotic sac wraps around the hand and deforms it. Yahooo writes that Griffin was in constant pain as a youngster and eventually doctors removed the hand.
Griffin never allowed his health issue to affect his love of sports and he worked hard to be one of his school's finest athletes. That now has paid off as he and his brother were recruited together and were offered scholarships at 14 mid-major schools.
"Shaquem Griffin is one of the most amazing stories I've ever heard in football," said USA Football director Garrett Shea. "For the young man to overcome such a physical challenge to play at this level speaks not only of who he is but his brother as well. ... To see and hear how they interact with one another and act as such a support system, it's just great for all of us to be around."
According to Rivals.com, Griffin is 6'1'', 183 pounds and runs a 4.65 40 and was a star at his high school in the defensive backfield. UCF had a solid signing day, bringing in nearly 20 new players to the team.
Last season UCF went 10-4 in Conference USA, including 7-1 in conference games. The team defeated Ball State in the Beef O'Brady's Bowl in St. Petersburg 38-17.
