1-handed NFL rookie named co-grand marshal of Special Olympics
Seattle Seahawks rookie Shaquem Griffin will serve as co-grand marshal for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games opening ceremony, Special Olympics announced Monday.
We have added more star power to the #2018USAGames Opening Ceremony July 1st!
Top stars from @AmericanIdol @NBCTheVoice & @DANCEonFOX to perform, @Seahawks @Shaquemgriffin & @SpecialOlympics athlete to serve as Co-Grand Marshals. More: https://t.co/QrGTVfmaBK #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/lQio62GUYf
— Special Olympics USA Games (@2026USAGames) June 25, 2018
Griffin was a fifth-round draft pick by the Seahawks after a standout career at the University of Central Florida, which included him winning the AAC Defensive Player of the Year award in 2016.
While he is known as an exceptional athlete and playmaker, what makes Griffin truly inspirational is that he’s reached the NFL despite having his left hand amputated when he was 4 years old.
Griffin was born with amniotic band syndrome, a congenital disorder that kept the fingers on his hand from fully developing.
But that didn’t stop him from participating in sports alongside his twin brother, Shaquill. The two played together in high school and in college, and they’re now teammates in Seattle after Shaquill joined the team a year earlier.
Shaquem will be a part of the Special Olympics USA Games Parade of Athletes that will precede the Games. This year’s Special Olympics USA Games will take place in Seattle July 1-7.
Along with Griffin, the other co-grand marshal will be Tim Corrigan, a 75-year-old Special Olympian who competed in the very first Games back in 1968.
“We’re really excited to add these talented performers to an already impressive lineup,” said Jayme Powers, executive producer and chief operating officer for the Special Olympics USA Games. “The Opening Ceremony will provide a powerful way to kick-off the USA Games by creating a once-in-a-lifetime entertainment experience for all of our athletes, volunteers and spectators.”
The Seahawks have some down time at this point in the calendar, which allows Griffin to participate at the Parade of Athletes. The team finished its offseason workouts two weeks ago and will open training camp in late July.
Griffin’s coach, Pete Carroll, was impressed with what he saw out of the rookie in offseason workouts.
“What was really positive was how he finished the offseason,” Carroll said on the team’s website. “Moving back to an inside (linebacker) spot for him was new and he had a lot to learn and a lot to pick up. Just in the process of it, as a guy who wants to do right and do things just as they coaches are coaching him up, we didn’t see him really cut loose until the last, really in this camp, he really felt comfortable and started flying around and you could see how fast he is and the acceleration that he has. It’s really unique, it just jumped off the film. …
“I didn’t want to see him be stoved up too long where couldn’t get comfortable so he could start moving and flying, and he did it. The same thing happened with (Barkevious) Mingo too. Both of those guys showed that after being here a while, they needed to get comfortable, then all of a sudden you start to see the burst and the speed that they bring that has been part of their makeup.”
Griffin won’t be the first NFL player to participate in some form or fashion at the Special Olympics. In 2015, Jamaal Charles talked about his learning disability and competing at the Special Olympics during the opening ceremony.
The Special Olympics USA Games will feature 4,000 athletes and coaches with over 10,000 volunteers. The event will also feature competitions in 14 team and individual sports.
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