NFL prospect Shaquem Griffin managed to complete 20 reps on a bench press drill at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis – all with the use of just one hand.
Shaquem Griffin, 22, graduated from the University of Central Florida this year and is attempting to continue his football career.
Born with a condition called Amniotic Band Syndrome, Griffin’s hand was underdeveloped at birth and was amputated at the age of 4.
Despite his condition and his own goal of only pressing the 225 pound weights up six times, he blew away expectations by more than doubling that number with the help of a special prosthesis.
Shaquem Griffin stunned everyone at the NFL Combine by bench pressing 20 reps with just one hand
‘I could feel the energy from everybody – my adrenaline was going through the roof. It felt amazing to reach that goal,’ Griffin said following his performance.
‘Obviously a lot of people didn’t feel like I was going to do the bench press and for me to be able to put a prosthetic on – I remember when I first started using the prosthetic, I had just the bar and I was shaking all over the place when I first got to UCF and being able to put up numbers like that, with good competition with everybody, it’s amazing because it just goes to show how much hard work I put in to get this level,’ Griffin told NFL Network.
Griffin and his twin brother, Shaquille, both played football for the UCF Knights together. Shaquille currently plays for the Seattle Seahawks. Shaquem is currently projected as a 5th or 6th round pick in April’s NFL Draft.
Griffin was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome, a condition that stunts growth of the hand and digits – his left hand was amputated at age 4
Griffin’s accomplishment quickly spread over social media, garnering positive praise from players and reporters alike.
‘Unbelievable! Can’t no one stop what God has for you!’ tweeted Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson about the feat.
Griffin himself only expected to do six presses – he far exceeded that goal
‘This kid is the real deal and I am inspired by him,’ said NFL analyst Mike Mayock following Griffin’s bench press event.
‘Been to 12 combines. Hearing Shaquem Griffin talk about how he couldn’t lift the bar a few years back to doing 20 bench press reps here is the first time I ever got emotional about anything,’ Sports Illustrated contributing writer Doug Farrar said.
Despite his disability, Griffin played varsity football for four years at the University of Central Florida
Shaquem (left) and Shaquille (right) Griffin are twins – they were teammates on the UCF Knights football team
Shaquem (18) hopes to join his brother Shaquille (10) in the NFL – Shaquille is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks
Shaquem, pictured here after his bench press at the NFL Combine, is projected as a late-round pick in April’s draft
Griffin’s feat garnered high praise around the football world, including this tweet from Seahawks star quarterback Russell Wilson