ARLINGTON, Texas — Selections made on the NFL Draft’s third day usually don’t invoke much emotion. This year will be an exception.
Tears will flow from television viewers, and a crowd comprised primarily of Cowboys fans inside AT&T Stadium will cheer Saturday when Shaquem Griffin gets selected, even if one of Dallas' NFC East rivals picks him.
And understandably so.
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Griffin is the feel-good story of this year’s draft class. Forced to have his left hand amputated at age four because of a birth defect, Griffin overcame the impediment to forge the kind of impactful college career as a UCF linebacker that should lead to his being drafted between Rounds 4 and 7.
Such consideration wasn't always a given.
Griffin wasn't invited to the NFL Combine until a strong January showing at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. In Indianapolis, Griffin proved he belonged athletically through two drills.
With use of a prosthetic, Griffin notched 20 reps on the 225-pound bench press, a total that was higher than some linebacker prospects with two hands. Griffin then posted the fastest 40-yard dash for a linebacker — 4.38 seconds — since the 2003 Combine.
"I think that turned a lot of heads — just running fast," a laughing Griffin told co-host Torry Holt and me this week on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
The Combine invite also opened the door for meetings with clubs that might have assuaged their concerns about whether a one-handed player could stick at the NFL level.
"I think once the teams were able to notice me a little bit and allow me to get to them in person and talk, it kind of changed views about the opinions they have on me," Griffin said. “I was able to show them that I’m not just a guy who can run fast and hit people, but I know the game well."
NFL DRAFT 2018:
Analysis for all draft selections
While slotted as a linebacker and special-teams contributor, the 6-0, 227-pound Griffin has shown the potential to effectively rush from the edge and cover in a safety role.
"I feel like I can be used in so many different ways," said Griffin, an all-conference selection in his final two seasons at UCF. “If I get with a coach that’s very creative, I’ll be used in different packages where I may be at nickel, I may be at linebacker, I may be in a blitz package or I may be third-and-long going after the quarterback."
With his stock rising, Griffin received an invite to attend the 2018 NFL Draft. As uplifting as his story is, the opportunity would not have been extended had league officials felt Griffin was destined to become an undrafted free agent.
Griffin not only was excited about the opportunity provided for his friends, family and former coaches to celebrate in Arlington on the NFL’s dime. He committed to staying in the Green Room until his name was called; to walk across the stage even though some of his predecessors left the draft after they were not chosen in Round 1.
The moment will be yet another memorable one on a journey that has drawn mainstream attention for what Griffin has overcome, not to mention the example he has set for others in similar circumstances.
Griffin, though, realizes he will need to prove his worth in a league where sentimentality means nothing without production. He believes his work ethic will help him do just that.
"It's kind of like, ‘You know what? This guy — he loves football,'" Griffin said. “It’s not about him just playing football. It's not about him just being inspirational. But, he really, genuinely loves what he does."
And now the NFL’s love affair with Griffin is set to truly begin.
Alex Marvez can be heard from 8 a.m. to noon ET Saturday and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET Sunday on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
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