St. Pete's Shaquem Griffin: Ready to tackle challenge of NFL

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - Former Lakewood High and University of Central Florida linebacker Shaquem Griffin has always believed he belongs. It hasn't been easy. A congenital disorder lead to the loss of his left hand at the age of 4. While it's held him back, it hasn't prevented him from flourishing on the football field. 

Shaquem makes no excuses, but he felt the need to write an open 15-page letter to NFL general managers to explain what he believes is his purpose. 

"I want people to know what I'm about and who I really am,” Griffin told FOX 13 Sports. "I think that was good for me because everyone would always see the guy that was smiling and was keeping his head forward and working. But there is so much more behind it. You know I've been through a lot of things, but I've been able to overcome it."

Even after winning the AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 and the 2018 Peach Bowl MVP, there are questions whether he can compete like his twin brother has at the NFL level. 

Shaquem quieted some critics with one of the most impressive performances at the NFL combine. He clocked a blistering 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash and then, with a specially made grip, Shaquem outperformed many NFL prospects, bench-pressing 225 pounds 20 times.

"The feeling I had was I have so many people watching me right now,” said Griffin. "I've got to make sure I push everything I got. I wasn't going to stop until my arms were giving out." 

Throughout Shaquem's entire life, he's had to deal with detractors -- people telling him he can't do this or he can’t do that. He lives by his father’s advice: “Nothing comes easy.” Now, Shaquem finds himself just weeks away from fulfilling his lifelong dream to be drafted into the NFL.

“Anytime anyone told me I couldn't do something, it always made me work that much harder to prove them wrong,” continued Shaquem. "Then, once I do it, then they're like, ‘I didn't know you could do that.’ Well, I did." 

The national spotlight will be shining brightly on Shaquem at the NFL Draft. He's one of only 22 players invited to the league's biggest offseason spectacle.  Is there any doubt in his mind that he belongs?

"No doubt, no doubt at all,” added Shaquem. "Not even 0.1 percent."