Last season, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier suffered a severe spinal injury in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s already been ruled out for the 2018 season, and his football career at large is in doubt. For now, he’s simply on the road to recovery, and many fans around the league have rallied in support of the 25 year old.
Shazier made a surprise appearance at the NFL Draft back in April, when he walked for the first time in public following the injury with the assistance of his fiancee to announce the Steelers’ first-round pick.
On Friday, Shazier showed more evidence of his progress as he took to the field in front of a cheering crowd at Steelers practice, walking unassisted and without a cane.
It’s obviously a heartwarming moment for fans, teammates and of course Shazier himself, to see the progress after such a devastating injury. Football’s physical nature is one that tends to lend itself to harm and injury, but its emotional aspect is reflected in the number of those who have rallied to show Shazier their support.
There are still many steps ahead of Shazier in his rehabiliation, even before playing football again becomes a consideration, but his progress will already motivate and inspire many others against their own adversity.
