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SHAQ 'N AWE

Meet one-handed American football starlet Shaquem Griffin who is looking to take NFL by storm

AMERICA is falling in love with a potential NFL player who has just one hand.

You might think that would be an overwhelming barrier to competing in the country's most-loved sport.

Shaquem Griffin has been impressing NFL coaches at this week's Combine in Indianapolis
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Shaquem Griffin has been impressing NFL coaches at this week's Combine in IndianapolisCredit: NFL

But Shaquem Griffin, 22, is scoring a touchdown with coaches after impressing with brilliant athleticism at the NFL's annual talent scouting event, the Scouting Combine.

Griffin's hand was amputated when he was four and he was nearly snubbed by the league for this year's Combine — despite having a superb college season.

Players who are not included in the NFL draft are usually invited to compete in the Combine, in a bid to show off their talents and earn a contract at one of the 32 clubs.

American football is currently in its off-season after the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the Super Bowl last month in a thrilling 41-33 win over the New England Patriots.

Griffin in action for University of Central Florida where he impressed during his collegiate career alongside his twin brother Shaquill
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Griffin in action for University of Central Florida where he impressed during his collegiate career alongside his twin brother ShaquillCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Shaquem lifts the trophy at the Peach Bowl in January during his final collegiate game with University of Central Florida
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Shaquem lifts the trophy at the Peach Bowl in January during his final collegiate game with University of Central FloridaCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Linebacker Shaquem is known as a tough tackler and has some of the fastest legs in college football history
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Linebacker Shaquem is known as a tough tackler and has some of the fastest legs in college football historyCredit: Getty Images - Getty

And coaches have been taking some time to evaluate what new players they can get ahead of next season.

Gems have been unearthed in the NFL Combine in previous years and gone on to win Super Bowls.

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But for Griffin, the battle against prejudice is almost as real as his battle to win a contract.

His twin brother Shaquill is a pro footballer, playing cornerback with the Seattle Seahawks and he has recently completed his first season in the league.

The pair played college football together at University of Central Florida but Shaquem nearly wasn't invited to Indianapolis to prove himself at the Combine because of his hand.

But it is not the first time he has been overlooked, experiencing something similar when he was eight as a coach from an opposing team thought he was not allowed to play.

He said: "It was the first time I ever had to deal with somebody telling me I shouldn't — or couldn't — do something because of my hand.

"Like I was defective or something. Like I didn't belong.

"There will be a lot more doubters, saying what I can't do. I think I'm ready to prove them wrong."

Shaquem attempts to tackle a rival player with the ball while playing for University of Central Florida
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Shaquem attempts to tackle a rival player with the ball while playing for University of Central FloridaCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Shaquem lifts a trophy during his college career at University of Central Florida
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Shaquem lifts a trophy during his college career at University of Central FloridaCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Griffin's hand was removed via surgery when he was four, after he developed amniotic band syndrome that cut off circulation and gave him pain in his left hand.

And despite his problems he has become an athletics star as well as a football sensation and he showed that at Lucas Oil Stadium, running a 4.38sec 40-yard sprint in the Combine, did 20 reps on the bench press and a 117-inch vertical jump.

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