My Favorite Tweet About Ryan Shazier Last Night...

[Slapstick]

...came from our own Roosevelt Nix:

@RyanShazier is a (expletive deleted)ing savage

[squidkid]

better start kneeling or hold hands for that now..............

[RuthlessBurgher]

Steelers move Ryan Shazier to PUP list

Posted by Josh Alper on May 2, 2018, 2:45 PM EDT

It was made clear some time ago that linebacker Ryan Shazier would not play during the 2018 season as he continues to recover from last year’s spinal injury, but he remained on the team’s roster until Wednesday.

That’s when the Steelers announced that they have moved Shazier to the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Shazier’s salary of $8.5 million for 2018 is guaranteed.

The move comes less than a week after Shazier walked on the stage in Dallas with the help of his fiancee to announce Pittsburgh’s first-round pick.

“That’s a huge lift, for not only him, but for us,” General Manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement. “To see where he’s come from to where he is and knowing where he might be able to go, it’s beyond inspirational. It’s just exciting. It’s really exciting for him.”

The Steelers took safety Terrell Edmunds with that pick and are expected to use him in a variety of roles that could include some of what Shazier did on defense when he was healthy.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/05/02/steelers-move-ryan-shazier-to-pup-list/

[RuthlessBurgher]

Steelers convert most of Ryan Shazier's salary to signing bonus

10:22 AM ET

Field Yates
ESPN Insider

The Pittsburgh Steelers have converted $8.26 million of linebacker Ryan Shazier's $8.718 million base salary for 2018 into a signing bonus, according to a league source.

In doing so, Shazier will receive this money immediately, a solid gesture by the organization for a beloved player throughout Pittsburgh.

Shazier continues to rehab and recover from a spinal injury suffered last season in a game against the Bengals. While his football career remains in doubt at this point, he has made notable progress, including an inspiring moment in which he walked across the stage to announce a team draft choice during the 2018 NFL draft last week in Arlington, Texas.

Shazier, 25, was placed on the physically unable to perform list on Wednesday, signaling the end to his 2018 season.

While the move has no salary-cap consequences for the Steelers, it's a move that benefits Shazier in receiving the vast majority of his salary now.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23392247/pittsburgh-steelers-convert-most-ryan-shazier-salary-signing-bonus

[Steel Maniac]

Nice. Classy move by management.

[Slapstick]

If Shazier stays on the PUP list all year, his contract will toll into next season like Mike Adams' did...though next season would not be guaranteed...

[RuthlessBurgher]

For Steelers, Ryan Shazier is always money well spent

8:00 AM ET

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- The respect Ryan Shazier garners in the Pittsburgh Steelers offices and locker room made the decision to advance most of his $8.7 million salary in the form of a signing bonus an easy call.

Shazier approached the team about the move, and the Steelers obliged. The money was guaranteed for injury, which is a good thing against the backdrop of the catastrophic spinal injury the linebacker suffered on a Week 13 tackling attempt in Cincinnati.

Though Shazier isn't playing in 2018, he'll most likely be putting in serious work. Shazier has logged 9-to-5-type hours at the Steelers facility throughout the offseason, working out in the weight room and breaking down film with scouts.

Shazier's role for next season has not been clearly defined, but he could assume an informal coaching/motivational position, staying with the team on a daily basis while it chases the franchise's seventh championship.

Late last season, having Shazier around the building galvanized a locker room that was visibly shaken in the days after the injury. His presence alone won't win games, of course. The Steelers' run defense struggled mightily late in 2017, giving up 150-plus yards in three of the final five games. They didn't have an adequate replacement for Shazier, and they still don't.

But teammates have remained inspired by his progress. Shazier walking onto the NFL draft stage was not the first time many players saw the 25-year-old stand up and move on his own. He had been making gradual process in that area throughout the previous three months, with each milestone something to celebrate.

"That’s a huge lift, for not only him, but for us," general manager Kevin Colbert said on draft night. "To see where he’s come from to where he is and knowing where he might be able to go, it’s beyond inspirational. It’s just exciting. It’s really exciting for him."

Shazier felt he was growing into a team leader last season on his way to an outright Pro Bowl berth. He can't put his high-level athleticism on display on Sundays, but he can utilize the leadership on a more formal basis next season.

The Steelers moving up Shazier's money was a nice gesture. Shazier will undoubtedly provide value for the payment.

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/27862/for-steelers-ryan-shazier-is-always-money-well-spent

[RuthlessBurgher]

Ryan Shazier 'submerged' in rehab, helping Steelers LBs

11:00 AM ET

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- Since that impressive walk on-stage during the NFL draft, Ryan Shazier has remained busy behind the scenes as part of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He won't be on the field due to spinal stabilization surgery. The team has placed him on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list while paying his $8.7 million salary up front.

That won't stop Shazier from remaining active in an unofficial coaching/motivational role.

'Still submerged' in rehab: Shazier still gets so much support mail from those inspired by his story that the local mailman told the family he must make extra trips to fit it all in the box, said Vernon, Ryan's father.

The family is grateful for the love but can't respond to it all, largely because because Shazier's days are stocked with rehab.

"We're still submerged in the situation," Vernon said.

Many days, Shazier gets up early, heads to the facility for workouts and meetings, followed by therapy and treatment. The work is tough but keeps Shazier connected.

Shazier is able to drive a car when necessary but often opts for a ride to focus on his rehab.

Shazier intensely practiced for his draft-day walk, which Vernon called a "gripping moment" reminding how far he's come, even if the walk was a bit longer than the family expected.

Vernon's prayer for his son has remained the same: walking without assistance, followed by full recovery.

"(God's) big enough that that’s not too big of a task," Vernon said.

Coach Shazier: Shazier watched last week's organized team activities from a golf cart and even sniffed out plays from Ben Roethlisberger.

Tight end Jesse James has seen Shazier spending extended time with the linebackers, walking younger players through the scheme.

The two-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker is logging plenty of hours this offseason.

"He’s always around. He’s in meetings, I see him working in the training room, working in the weight room," James said. "Just taking it one day at a time, doing his thing, helping the team as much as he can.”

Vernon calls this "finding a way to lead other than making tackles."

Working with kids: Earlier in May, Shazier and James co-hosted more than 300 kids as part of the Hyundai Youth Football Camp, where James saw his teammate in his element.

Shazier was standing up for much of the camp, providing pointers during drills.

“He’s always an uplifting and positive guy, so it was awesome to see him out in the community," James said. "He was chirping a little bit, talking, he was trying to find the big kids to organize races."

Shazier has spent much of his offseason in Pittsburgh, which "has supported me tremendously," he told Steelers.com during the camp.

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/27975/ryan-shazier-submerged-in-rehab-helping-steelers-lbs

[Steel Maniac]

Shazier is incredible. If this guy makes it back, I wouldn't want to go against him on the field. A guy with that much belief is a terror to deal with.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Wednesday, Jun 06, 2018 03:00 PM

Shazier: 'My dream is to play football again'

Teresa Varley

Steelers.com

As Ryan Shazier walked into the media room at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, aided by nothing more than a cane, cameras clicked and cell phones captured the moment.

Step after step as he approached the podium marked another milestone. Another mark in his recovery. And they were moments that were captured because of the joy and happiness everyone in the room had seeing him take those steps.

Steps that many wondered would he take again. And steps that are a far cry from the first steps he took following his injury.

“When I was in rehab, the first few steps I took me and my family were crying,” said Shazier. “Sometimes I look back at my videos and I still cry, but it’s all tears of joy. Just to see where you came from, what people thought you would be, to where you are now, and where I plan on being, it makes me appreciate every moment, every single step I take every time I am here with these guys.”

Shazier stood proudly at the podium in front of the packed media room, offering heartfelt thanks to those who helped him in his recovery. And then the first question came his way and he gave an answer that six months ago nobody would have ever expected. An answer that if comes to fruition, would be a milestone many could have never imagined.

“My dream is to come back and play football again,” said Shazier. “I have been working my tail off every single day. I have that in the back of my mind every single time I go to rehab. I just try to stay positive every single day. I am just trying to do everything I can to get back.

“I played this game since I was four years old. I have loved this game since I was four years old. Just because I got hurt doesn’t mean I am going to stop loving the game of football. I feel when you give your best in anything that you do, it makes it easier when something happens to you because you never have to look back and regret that you didn’t go hard enough. I gave it everything I have. I got hurt. And I am still going to give it everything I have to come back.”

Shazier suffered a spinal injury against the Cincinnati Bengals last season in the Week 13 matchup, and underwent spinal stabilization surgery on December 6. He has been an inspiration since that day, taking a positive approach to his recovery, something that has led him to where he is today.

“I would be a liar if I said there haven’t been any bad days,” said Shazier. “I feel everybody has some rough days. I promise you if it’s 100 days, probably 95 of them are good days and five of them, I am not even going to say five, three of them are neutral days and two of them are bad. I try to stay as positive as possible. At the end of the day you always have some negativity that tries to seep in. I always felt if you have a positive mindset, no matter what you are doing, as long as you are trying to do the best that you can, most likely the best outcome is going to come especially if you are working your tail off. That is the way I feel about this situation. I know, sometimes you will have a bad day, or might be a little sore, but you rest, stay in the house by yourself and play the video game a little longer than you want to, and then get back to the next day and get back to normal.”

Getting back to normal was something Shazier attacked. He didn’t sit around feeling sorry for himself, instead getting out and doing everything he could, first coming to Heinz Field for a game, then standing at a Penguins game, and walking across the stage at the NFL Draft to announce the Steelers No. 1 pick.

“Those things definitely helped feed me,” said Shazier. “The first game, coming back with the Terrible Towel. It mean so much to me being there. I have been with this team from the moment I got drafted. Pittsburgh had my back from the moment I got drafted. They might get mad that I drop a pick now and then, but they had my back from the moment I got drafted. Just to know I went back out there. Just to see how happy everyone seemed. How loud the stadium got. To see how many people supported me, it made me realize everybody has my back.

“When I was at Mercy I was getting letters. I have so many letters and gifts from people that I can’t even read them all. I am so thankful. It lets me know that this many people are praying for me. I had an elementary school, the whole elementary school, every single kid wrote me a get well soon letter. That is over 500 kids. All of that makes me want to do better. When I go to Penguins games, when I go to Cavaliers games, when I go to Steelers games, when people are cheering it makes me feel like I am back to myself and it allows me to feel like I am getting better, or I am feeling more normal. I know a lot of people get hurt, when they get into certain situations they get into a cave and are like, man, I’m hurt. I notice when I am hurt or dealing with something, when I am trying to be myself, be normal, it makes me feel better and want to do more. I don’t want to sit in my house all day when I know I can get out and still have a good time.”

#SHALIEVE
— Vince Williams (@VinnyVidiVici9 June 6, 2018

More from Shazier:

Have the doctors given you any kind of timetable on returning?

They are just telling me to take it one day at a time. The further we get along in rehab, the better they can give me answers. Right now they said take it day by day. They feel like I am doing a lot better.

Have you surprised yourself at all with what you have been able to do with your recovery?

I am not going to say I surprised myself. I feel like I am doing a lot better than I expected to do at first. I am definitely thankful and trusting the Lord and thanking everybody. All of the support I have been getting from everybody else has allowed me to push even harder. I am not really surprised about where I am, I am just thankful because I know it’s a different situation than most people have to deal with.

Why has it been important for you to stay here and do you rehab?

It makes me feel like I’m still myself, feel like I’m still at home. A lot of people like to go places where they can be as comfortable as possible. Being here made it more comfortable for me. Just being able to see my teammates practice and play, being at the facility, being able to study film, learn about the ins and outs of the Steelers organization.

What is the next physical milestone you are looking forward to hitting?

That’s a good question. One of the things I am looking forward to doing is to be able to start walking a little bit more without using a cane. If that’s in camp I will be happy, if it’s the regular season I will be happy. I am just trying to take it one day at a time. At the end of the day I have a final goal and I have little steps ahead of it. But my next step is to be able to walk by myself without any support of a cane or holding anybody’s hand.

How scary was that moment when you got hurt?

I am not going to lie. The moment I got hurt, it might have been a little scary. But I just trusted the Lord, I asked Him to continue to watch over my life. I know the Lord always has a bigger purpose. I knew He was going to make sure everything was taken care of, everything was going to be OK. But I am not going to lie, it was a little scary at the moment because I got hurt. I understand football is a dangerous game. I understand that things can happen. I accepted it at the moment. I know sometimes you have some obstacles you are going to have to overcome. I accepted what happened to me and kept pushing forward. I am going to just try to win.

What does your son understand and what do you tell him?

Since he is only 3, it’s kind of hard for him to understand. I know he understands Daddy is hurt. He constantly wants to see me get better. Sometimes when I was in a wheelchair he would try to push me in my wheelchair. If I drop my cane, he will help me pick my cane up. It’s kind of cool because he sees I am getting better. He will say, ‘Come on, Daddy, walk,’ or ‘Daddy, come do this,’ or ‘Daddy, come do that.’ Before when I was hurt more, he wouldn’t ask me to do some of the stuff I am doing now. Just to know he sees I am doing a lot better, knows that I am getting better, means a lot for me and him. The fact that I am getting better allows me to play with him, allows me to do more activities with him that I wasn’t able to do three months ago. It really means a lot. I can definitely tell he has learned a lot more than he did.

https://www.steelers.com/news/shazier-my-dream-is-to-play-football-again

[Buzz]

Saw the video clip of him walking up to the podium today -- amazing how far he's come in his recovery in such a short amount of time!

I shalieve.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Saw the video clip of him walking up to the podium today -- amazing how far he's come in his recovery in such a short amount of time!

I shalieve.

Can you give a link please?