It’s well-known that in 2017 Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier’s playing career ended in one play when he suffered a spinal-cord injury that, for a time, paralyzed him.
Through hard work and rehabilitation, he learned to walk again and was able to dance at his wedding.
While his playing career may be over, Shazier helped out with the Steelers staff the past couple seasons and left the team earlier this season to pursue a new endeavor in sports media.
Shazier has now started a fund for those dealing with the same kind of spinal injuries that he had.
The Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation was recently launched and he joined 93.7 The Fan to talk about why he started it and how he continues to stay positive.
Shazier credits his parents, especially his mother for his positive attitude.
“When it came to overcoming any obstacles, I always just follow her lead,” said Shazier.
Shazier says he started the foundation to help those people who may not get the same love and support he got while dealing with his injury.
“While I was going through it, I was noticing a lot of other people were not getting the same amount of help, I’m not saying not medical help, they were defiantly getting that, but when it came to jus support and just knowing that people are there for you and care for you and somebody’s going through the same type of struggles you’re going through. . . I know a lot of people . . . were feeling alone in this process,” said Shazier.
While he did have the support of his team and the City of Pittsburgh, he said he was hard at times not knowing anyone else going through that type of injury.
The fund will help with funding, support and other resources for those dealing with a spinal-cord injury.