Having two brothers who play football with such ease and accuracy would pique the interest of anyone in their direction. Shaquil Griffin, like his twin brother Shaquem Griffin, is making waves as an NFL superstar and both brothers are playing for the Seattle Hawks. Prior to being drafted into the National Football League (NFL), Shaquill proved his athletic prowess with the University of Central Florida Knights football team before entering the big league.
He was selected with the 90th overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks during the 2017 NFL Draft and was the 13th cornerback to be selected that year. More so, he had recorded very impressive stats as a sportsman right from his budding years in Lake Wood High.
How Shaquill Griffin Groomed His Career From Scratch
The footballer was born as an Afro-American on the 20th of July, 1995 in St. Petersburg, Florida. He groomed himself in the game of football while studying at Lake Wood High School. Shaquill Griffin was an all-rounder when it came to sports. In addition to football, he also excelled as a sprinter and field events. Every appreciation given to his performance today is all linked to his early days with the school team where he trained as a quarterback.
Shaquill completed his high school career in 2013 and committed to the University of Central Florida while rejecting other scholarship offers. He eventually began his collegiate career, playing in 4 games and scored 6 combined tackles in addition to a deflection pass for his first year. In the next year, he partook in 6 games, improved in his performances, and recorded 15 combined tackles and an interception. His record as a junior is better off than his previous records, he played in 11 games and totaled 43 tackles, 11 passes defended and an interception on the returning end.
Shaquill Griffin progressed in his performances as a senior and totalled 49 tackles, 4 interceptions, 15 pass defence, and a fumble recovery. For his performances, he was named the All-Conference Second-team. He became widely known due to his outstanding performances, so, the NFLPA invited him to the association collegiate bowl. He accepted the offer and featured in the competition, recording 2 combined tackles. Having been exposed already to the league, Griffin became a target for some of the clubs and the Seattle Seahawks later chose him in the 3rd round with the 90th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Continued Success In The NFL
The Seattle Seahawks confirmed their appointment with Shaquill Griffin after he signed a 4-year deal worth $3.25 million and a signing bonus of $758,620. At first, Griffin was placed on the defensive end and redshirted for a while. He made his first appearance with the team in a loss to the Green Bay Packers where he recorded 10 combined tackles and a deflected pass. His next game turned out to be a victory against the Indianapolis Colts, he also recorded his first career stats.
Playing against the Los Angeles Rams was quite a tough one, yet the Hawks emerged victorious as Shaquill Griffin recorded 6 solo tackles and a deflection pass. He continued on a winning pace and recorded 3 solo tackle and a season-high three pass deflection against the infallible New York Giants. After that game, he was substituted to be the team’s starting cornerback.
The Atlanta Falcons, however, brought paused the Hawks victory streak that season, beating the team on November 20th, 2017. Nonetheless, Shaquill recorded a solo tackle and left the game as a result of a concussion he incurred. He resumed against the Dallas Cowboys in week 16 and scored 5 combined tackles and also made his first career sack. The Hawks later faced the Arizona Cardinals in December 2017 but lost to them despite Shaquill’s best record of 6 solo tackles and 2 deflected passes in that game. By the end of the 2017 season, he had played in 15 games in which he totaled 50 solos, 15 pass deflections, an interception, and one sack
The player was then seen in 16 games in which he recorded a total of 54 solos, 7 assists, 8 pass deflections, 3 of which were against the quarterback, Mitchell Turbisky in a game with the Chicago Bears on September 17th, 2018. Griffin also recorded 2 interceptions in the game and by the end of the season, he made a total of 8 pass deflections. Shaquill went on to appear in 15 games during the 2019 season, making 43 solos, 20 assists, and 13 pass deflections. He was subsequently named as an alternate for the 2020 Pro Bowl on January 17th, 2020.
What Makes Shaquill’s Playing Style Special?
Shaquil Griffin is notable as a cornerback for the Seattle Hawks and he is gradually making a name for himself as one of the best in the league. However his start with the Hawks in the 2017 and 2018 football season was not so glamourous but in the 3rd season, he exhibited so much energy in each game during the 2019 season that set him out as a cornerback to look out for in the NFL.
He has also been praised for his confidence in the pitch which has been described as his swag. This also gives the Seattle Hawks cornerback a special touch in his games and his playing techniques have been likened to that of a Pro Bowl player! His teammate, Bobby Wagner who plays as a linebacker always expressed total admiration each time Shaquill bats the ball as he usually sets new limits for himself.
More so, Griffin and his twin brother, Shaquem, have been making the media rounds at the Super Bowl and during an interview with NBC Sports Northwest, Shaquill Griffin was quoted as saying he has been “talking to some of the coaches” about potentially being assigned to cover a specific opposing receiver more often, referred to as “traveling” or “shadowing.”
He Shares A Strong Bond With His Twin Brother, Shaquem Griffin
The twins were born in St. Petersburg, Florida to Terry and Tangie Griffin. They have as elder brothers: Terrell and Andre Griffin with whom they grew up under the watchful eyes of their dad who always encouraged them to be better people and athletes.
Shaquem Griffin’s story has inspired fans all over the country, and his family has had front-row seats on his entire journey. The NFL star was born with the rare amniotic band syndrome, which caused him excruciating pains in his left hand. At age 4, Shaquem could not bear the pain again and he attempted to cut off his hand with a kitchen knife before his mother intervened. The next day, his surgery was arranged and the young Shaquem’s left hand was amputated.
Over the years, he has been given all the support he needed to follow his dreams, especially from his twin, Shaquill, who refused to be admitted into college without Shaquem. He turned down several offers before committing to the University of Central Florida which placed both brothers on scholarship. More so, it’s reported that Shaquem’s dad had to construct a special pad to help him do pushups as he built his body during his early years as a sportsman.
Although Shaquem would later prolong his stay in college as Shaqill joins the NFL in 2017, the two reunited in 2018 when he was drafted. Another fascinating side to their story is the fact that both brothers are playing for the Seattle Seahawks and they are currently waxing strong in the team, making a name for themselves in the NFL.
