The Steelers had to battle back Sunday night to clinch their third AFC North title in four seasons. After blowing a 14-point lead, Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown engineered two scoring drives in the final 3:15 to pull off a remarkable comeback which couldn't have happened without a key defensive stop.
After the game, the Steelers made sure their defensive leader was part of the celebration although he couldn't be at Heinz Field.
Ryan Shazier was able to FaceTime with his Steelers teammates from his hospital room as he continues to recover from Wednesday's spinal stabilization surgery, stemming from a hit Monday against the Bengals.
Ryan Shazier facetiming the #Steelers after tonight’s victory from the hospital. Via Ryan Shazier’s girlfriend’s Instagram. pic.twitter.com/UXrYKsn5ba
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) December 11, 2017
#SHALIEVE
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 11, 2017
🎥: @RyanShazier pic.twitter.com/T3bN1DB8M5
Steelers players plan to visit Shazier in the hospital to present him with a game ball, and AFC North champions apparel.
Cam Heyward said the #Steelers FaceTimed Ryan Shazier to tell him he got the game ball and he’ll get an AFC North hat and shirt tonight.
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) December 11, 2017
Several Steelers confirmed the entire team FaceTimed with Ryan Shazier in the locker room after the game. “It’s something I’ll never forget,” DE Stephon Tuitt said. Nobody could make out what Shazier said since it was too loud.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 11, 2017
Shazier is showing "gradual improvement," according to ESPN, but doctors are "controlling and limiting" Shazier's movement as he continues his recovery.
He's not likely to play again this season and the Steelers are hurting without him. With Shazier and his top backup Tyler Matakevich (shoulder) out, Ravens running back Alex Collins ran wild Sunday night and Joe Flacco enjoyed dumping it off in the flats against Arthur Moats and Sean Spence, who was picked up off waivers to help fill the void at linebacker. Still, the Steelers found a way to win and now have a teammate worth winning for when times get tough.