Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury while making a tackle in 2017 that initially left him unable to walk, announced his retirement on Wednesday.
“When I was 5 years old, I made the greatest discovery of my life,” Shazier said in a video posted to Twitter on Wednesday. “I discovered the game that I love — the game of football. Ever since then, I’ve given my life to the game. I love everything about it …
“I’m here today to make sure the world knows how much today I still love football. How grateful I am for everything that football gave me. And I’m here to let the world know that today, I am officially retiring from the game I love so much.”
Shazier was rushed to a University of Cincinnati hospital on Dec. 4, 2017, after a tackling attempt against the Cincinnati Bengals left him struggling to move. The two-time Pro Bowler underwent spinal stabilization surgery a few days after, and he didn’t regain movement in his legs until the following February.
Where paralysis once was a concern in the days after the injury, Shazier re-taught himself to walk, drive a car, jog and lift weights. He walked his bride down the aisle during their 2019 wedding.
Shazier did not play in 2019, and his contract tolled at a minimum salary, giving him one more year toward NFL pension. The team kept him on the roster with the physically unable to perform designation.