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Student Life

Shaquem Griffin Is The Kind Of Role Model Every Kid Needs

And more people should be talking about him.

Katelynn Deal

Feb 13, 2019

Longwood

122

Instagram via Seahawks Newz

Shaquem Griffin.

He isn't a household name just yet. Well, maybe if you're from Florida or Seattle.

If you don't know who Shaquem Griffin is, Google his name and you will see nothing but good things. I'll give you a quick synopsis:

Griffin is an NFL player who lost his left hand at a young age. At this young age, he was told everything that he couldn't do; the doctors told him playing football was one of them.

He broke all of the odds. He made it to the NFL.

Recently, at the NFL Honors, Griffin won the "Game Changer" award for his charisma and unbelievable story. During his first year in the NFL, he raised awareness for children with disabilities, ones similar to his and not. He made kids believe in themselves and proved to them that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

When he received his award, he gave a powerful and impactful speech that I believe every kid needs to hear.

Griffin said, "You know what, I wrote a speech. I don't want to say that speech. I'm honored to be here amongst you guys because I never thought I'd be here. Just seeing this, being around you guys, is amazing. Growing up as a child, being told what I couldn't do, it can weigh heavy on your heart. But I had family, I had my brothers, I had those around me, to keep my head straight, to keep my hopes high. And now I can say I'm truly blessed and I'm honored to be here in front of you. I want to say thank you to the Seahawks for giving me an opportunity to be here, thank you to the NFL organization."

Wow.

Let's digest this for a second. Imagine if every child could hear someone like Griffin say that he had family and friends to keep his head straight. Do you think they would straighten up in their seat a little bit? I say yes. Kids need to hear from professional athletes like Griffin that it is possible to beat the odds and remain humble and grateful.

I know there are so many kids in this world who could benefit from hearing this message. I urge everyone to listen below. Share it with your friends, nieces, nephews, daughters, and sons.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUH1eul00JQ

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Shaquem Griffin Is The Kind Of Role Model Every Kid Needs

And more people should be talking about him.

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Pajamas

Candles

A Fish

CDs

Movie Tickets

Candy

Gag Gifts

Dollar Shave Club

A Stocking of Toys

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