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Steelers' linebacker Ryan Shazier has been honored in recent months for his courageous fight and winning, and another honor has been awarded.
Shazier was elected the George Halas 2019 Award, named by the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).
The Halas Award, named after the Chicago Hall of Fame and Bears icon, is presented to a player, coach or member of the NFL team who has overcome as much difficulty as possible .
Shazier's story is amazing.
To enter the 2017 season, one of Shazier's goals was simply to be healthy, to get through his first season without having to fight the injury virus.
"It's one of the most painful things," Shazier said in June 2017. "It's not like people are hurting themselves. I know that I have the ability to be one of the best linebackers in the league. I just want to do my best to stay healthy, do what I can to help this team and show everyone what I can really do. "
Shazier was doing just that as the 2017 season was going well. He led the defense in the tackles several times during the first months of the season, had three interceptions and 11 assists defended. He was about to do what he wanted to: show everyone that he was one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
December 4, 2017, everything has changed.
Shazier suffered a spinal injury against the Cincinnati Bengals that night and underwent spinal stabilization surgery two days later.
He has been an inspiration to date and has taken a positive approach to his recovery. He did not feel sorry for himself, but rather did everything he could. He first competed at Heinz Field for a game, then at a Penguins game, crossing the NFL draft stage to announce the Steelers' number. 1 choice and crossing alone the training ground during the training camp to the delight of Steelers Nation. When the Steelers played in Cincinnati, he went to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he was taken immediately after the injury, to thank the staff.
Shazier has made incredible progress since his injury, to the point of walking alone, lifting weights and making progress that many would never have imagined.
"My doctor told me that I am further than what they expected," said Shazier. "The rehabilitation, recovery and rhythm I was doing, there are no closed doors. He said you have to keep working, keep grinding. It is possible that you work hard, whether you succeed or not. "
Shazier said his goal was to "definitely" play football again, and he strives to do it every day.
"I'm trying to say it at the end of the day, the mere fact that I'm hurt does not mean that I've lost the love of football," Shazier said. "I love football so much. I just care about the game. I really feel that the game has brought me to places where I never expected to go. I'm putting everything in it. I feel like the best linebacker in the league. I do not want to leave that as my legacy. I have the impression of having so much to show.
"From where I was to where I am now is a testimony of God. He also says that you never give up on your dreams, never give up what you want to be. Always keep pushing. It feels good to be back able to lift weights. Just going back to my initial state, lifting weights, doing football, it's great.
"I always have a positive state of mind. Always stay positive. Whatever the seriousness of the situation, there is always a window of opportunity to go always better, always to continue. Many people never thought I would walk again. I just trusted myself, I trusted the Lord, I kept pushing and I'm here.
Shazier is the third player in the history of the Steelers to win this award, previously presented to Rocky Bleier (1975) and John Stallworth (1985). Steelers running back James Conner was also nominated for the award.
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