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One-Handed Safety Makes One-Handed Interception
Barry Petchesky
Identical twin brothers Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin committed to UCF today, but the two DBs—Shaquem's a safety, Shaquill's a cornerback—were on the field for one final high school game last night. The International Bowl, pitting American prep stars against the world's best, saw Shaquem dive for this interception, and corral it with one hand.
That's good, because he only has one hand. Shaquem was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome, meaning his amniotic sac was wrapped around his wrist, cutting off circulation and stunting the development of his left hand.
There came an excruciating choice four years later when Shaquem's deformed and largely useless left hand and fingers were in constant throbbing pain. He would ask his mom to go to kitchen to retrieve a knife to cut it off.
After many sleepless nights and much pleading, Tangie went to the hospital to relieve Shaquem's pain.
Shaquem adapted quickly, learning to tie his shoes even before his brother. His father built a contraption to help him lift weights with his left arm. Griffin received offers from at least 17 mid-major programs, and it would have been more except he refused to commit anywhere without his brother. They'll head to Central Florida in the fall after sending in their letters of intent first thing this morning.
Barry Petchesky
Identical twin brothers Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin committed to UCF today, but the two DBs—Shaquem's a safety, Shaquill's a cornerback—were on the field for one final high school game last night. The International Bowl, pitting American prep stars against the world's best, saw Shaquem dive for this interception, and corral it with one hand.
That's good, because he only has one hand. Shaquem was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome, meaning his amniotic sac was wrapped around his wrist, cutting off circulation and stunting the development of his left hand.
There came an excruciating choice four years later when Shaquem's deformed and largely useless left hand and fingers were in constant throbbing pain. He would ask his mom to go to kitchen to retrieve a knife to cut it off.
After many sleepless nights and much pleading, Tangie went to the hospital to relieve Shaquem's pain.
Shaquem adapted quickly, learning to tie his shoes even before his brother. His father built a contraption to help him lift weights with his left arm. Griffin received offers from at least 17 mid-major programs, and it would have been more except he refused to commit anywhere without his brother. They'll head to Central Florida in the fall after sending in their letters of intent first thing this morning.
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