After Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier went down with a frightening spinal injury while attempting a routine tackle on Dec. 4, 2017, the first non-Steeler or doctor he can remember seeing was Jerome Howard. A former Plantation High football teammate and close friend, Howard is also his trainer.
“He told me, ‘Let’s pray. We’re going to get through this. If you need me, whatever you need me to do, I’m here for you, and I love you. You’re my brother,’ ” Shazier recalled recently.
Howard was there for Shazier at that harrowing time, when doctors were doubtful he would walk again.