Let me say first that I’m thrilled Ryan Shazier was able to walk across the stage last night to announce the Steelers’ pick. On the night he got injured, it really didn’t look like he’d ever be able to do that. But I’m also having trouble viewing this as an inspirational story.
I couldn’t help but wince as Shazier, a linebacker known for his explosive burst, held a vise-like grip on his fiancée’s hand as he labored to walk across the stage. So while it’s inspiring that he’s worked so hard just to be able to take those few unsteady steps, it’s also dispiriting that he looks like he’ll never be the player he once was.