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Steelers make incredible gesture to injured player Ryan Shazier

By Joe Setyon May 3, 2018 at 10:54am

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier has made immense progress after suffering a spinal injury during a December game against the Bengals.

Several days after the injury, he underwent spinal stabilization surgery.

Then in February, fans learned that Shazier had regained feeling in his legs and was even walking once more.

And who can forget the inspiring moment at last week’s NFL draft when Shazier, supported by his fiancée, walked across the stage and announced that the Steelers were taking safety Terrell Edmunds in the first round?

So awesome to see this – Ryan Shazier appears at the NFL Draft for the Steelers' first round selection. pic.twitter.com/uPzU8ybBiy

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 27, 2018

Shazier has come a long way, to be sure, but he still won’t play in 2018, with the Steelers having placed him on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List.

Though he might not be able to play, the Steelers did make a touching gesture to ensure that at least financially, he won’t be hurting.

Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the team converted $8.26 million of his $8.718 million base salary for the upcoming season into a signing bonus, meaning he will get it all at once.

The Steelers have converted $8.26M of LB Ryan Shazier’s 2018 base salary into a signing bonus, per source. Shazier, placed on PUP Wednesday, earns that money now. While there are no cap implications, it’s a great gesture by a first rate organization.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 3, 2018

Shazier reportedly approached the team about the possibility of them making this move, and they acquiesced, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

As noted by Yates, the move has no salary-cap implications, but it’s a classy gesture regardless.

Shazier, for his part, has expressed gratitude for all the support he’s received following his injury.

I’m truly blessed and humbled from all the prayers, love, and support that I have received . This is what keeps me going. Just continue to #Shalieve pic.twitter.com/p1kAZfG8xT

— Ryan Shazier (@RyanShazier) April 27, 2018

Do you think Ryan Shazier will ever play professional football again?

“The people at Ohio State loved me before I got hurt. The people at the Steelers loved me before I got hurt. Just the fact that I am going through this, so many people have been reaching out, praying and having their hands of protection around me. It really means a lot,” he said.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, meanwhile, called Shazier’s story “beyond inpsirational.”

“To see where he’s come from to where he is and knowing where he might be able to go, it’s beyond inspirational. It’s just exciting. It’s really exciting for him,” Colbert said.

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Tags:

Money, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

Joe Setyon

Deputy Managing Editor, Editorial

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Joe Setyon was a deputy managing editor for The Western Journal who had spent his entire professional career in editing and reporting. He previously worked in Washington, D.C., as an assistant editor/reporter for Reason magazine.

@JoeSetyon

Joe Setyon was deputy managing editor for The Western Journal with several years of copy editing and reporting experience. He graduated with a degree in communication studies from Grove City College, where he served as managing editor of the student-run newspaper. Joe previously worked as an assistant editor/reporter for Reason magazine, a libertarian publication in Washington, D.C., where he covered politics and wrote about government waste and abuse.

Birthplace

Brooklyn, New York

Topics of Expertise

Sports, Politics