Report: Steelers ILB Ryan Shazier jogged on Friday for the first time

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Ryan Shazier have been an inspirational story from the moment Shazier laid flat on the Paul Brown Stadium turf in December 2017. Shazier, who suffered a severe spinal chord injury on the Monday night game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals, football fans everywhere have been mesmerized with Shazier’s astounding progress.

Whether it was his social media post standing next to Ben Roethlisberger, or him delivering the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first round draft pick selection of Terrell Edmunds at the 2018 NFL Draft.

Every step of the way, literally, has been inspirational, and as of December 1st there is news on Shazier’s continued progress. All football fans everywhere received what may be the best gift of all - hope - as the Holiday season kicks off with Hanukkah this evening. From this morning’s Post-Gazette:

In the year since [Ryan] Shazier was strapped to a backboard and carted to an ambulance at Paul Brown Stadium, he went from a hospital bed to a wheelchair, then a walker, then two canes, and then one. Now he wears a bracelet that reads “Walking Miracle.” Shazier moves along the Steelers sideline during practices and games, walking with only a slightly halting gait.

Steelers outside linebackers coach Joey Porter said Shazier jogged on Friday for the first time since the injury.

The rest is a wonderful article about all the things you want to know: the young man, the injury, the team, the linebacker room, etc. But that’s the magical, wonderful, make-your-Holiday gist.

We hope fans of the black-and-gold can refrain from the debate of whether Shazier should, or shouldn’t, ever return to football if his health allows him, but instead focus on one very importance of the fact Shazier is approaching one year from his partial paralysis, and is now starting to job.

Always SHALIEVE!