Overcoming Obstacles and Inspiring Others By Damani Dickerson
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haquem Griffin is no stranger to adversity, or overcoming it. Despite many difficulties, failures and opposition, the senior University of Central Florida (UCF) linebacker continued to work and focus on the things he could control instead of the things he couldn’t. All Griffin wanted was a chance prove himself and once given an opportunity to do so, that’s exactly what the 2016 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year did. Now he intends to use his platform to inspire others to overcome their obstacles. “I was told so much what I couldn’t do, before I was giving an opportunity to show that I could,” Griffin said. “I want my story to let others know that if you want to achieve something, the only person who can stop you is yourself.” Griffin’s story is remarkably inspiring and gives credibility to the phrase “anything is possible.” As a fetus, a fibrous strand of the amniotic membrane wrapped around
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his left wrist, which kept his left hand from developing. At the age of 4, his parents decided to have his left hand amputated. They vowed to treat him no different than his siblings and to never allow him to use his circumstance as an excuse. During his childhood Griffin made the best of his condition and never made excuses. Facing impossible odds, he continued to pursue his passion. His hard work
landed him in Orlando playing football for UCF. Once there, he again faced adversity and just like the many times before, Griffin worked while he waited until he earned a spot of the field. “There’s not a player I’ve coached who practices harder than he does,” former UCF head coach Jack Frost said. This season the 6’ 2”, 229-pounder from St. Petersburg, Fla., helped lead the Knights to their first perfect season and earn a trip to the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl to face Auburn. While decorated as an individual athlete, beating their cross-state rival to secure a perfect season is the moment he cherishes most. “I was so happy I cried,” Griffin said jokingly. “My best award was winning that conference championship. I’m not too big on individual stuff like that, I’m excited for my team.” Just a short while ago Griffin wasn’t so optimistic. After three seasons, he had only played on special teams and found himself buried on the depth chart. Times were hard and he began to feel like football had been taken away from him. Luckily for Griffin, his twin brother Shaquill Griffin, a Seattle Seahawks rookie cornerback, was there to help him see the light even during the times when he couldn’t. Although born only a minute earlier Griffin has always seen Shaquill as his older, wiser brother. As children, they competed in everything. The two began playing football together at an early age and in middle school pledged to play at the same college. Holding true to that promise Shaquill passed on several larger offers to attend UCF. “My brother is my backbone. When things got too hard, he would take some of the weight off my shoulders and carry that for me,” Griffin said. “When you have someone who is willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good of us, it’s something special.” In the future Griffin hopes to join his brother in the NFL, but also promises to continue be a voice for those who feel like they may be on the outside looking in.
Photos courtesy of UCF Athletics
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