:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60947959/usa_today_11092271.0.jpg)
The Pittsburgh Steelers had their annual Family Fest practice at Heinz Field Sunday night, and those who were in attendance were given a special treat when the public address announcer didn’t just name off all of the linebackers, but also No. 50 Ryan Shazier.
Shazier walked out of the tunnel with his teammates, without assistance and again without his cane. Check out what turned out to be a really cool moment...
Ryan Shazier coming out of the tunnel with the rest of the linebackers at Heinz Field. #Steelers #dkps pic.twitter.com/pqdTyhcGWS
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 19, 2018
Ryan Shazier comes into the field with the rest of the linebackers for the Family Fest practice for Steelers at Heinz Field pic.twitter.com/WmYHVd2Ufl
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) August 19, 2018
Ryan Shazier enters the field with the linebackers before the Steelers practice at Heinz Field. pic.twitter.com/XExYjRFkDy
— Lauren Kirschman (@laurenkirschman) August 19, 2018
While the above videos don’t give a truly great representation of Shazier’s current status, the video below by Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley shows just how far Shazier has come since that fateful night in Cincinnati.
Every step is a step in the right direction for @RyanShazier. We #Shalieve. @steelers #FamilyFest pic.twitter.com/fApBR8TJQo
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) August 19, 2018
While his gait is far from normal, it is as close to normal as it has been since he was partially paralyzed on Monday Night Football.
To think about how far Shazier has come, from paralysis in December to walking onto the field with his teammates in August is downright amazing. At this point the discussion shouldn’t be the future for Shazier, but celebrating his current accomplishments.
KEEP SHALIEVING!