Ryan Shazier inspires at NFL Draft with surprise appearance

Ryan Shazier, right, walks with his fiance Michelle to announce the Pittsburgh Steelers selection in the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (David J. Phillip/AP)

Thursday night in Arlington, Texas was all about football, but what Ryan Shazier did was far bigger than the game.

In a special draft night surprise, the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker took to the stage to announce the Steelers’ first-round pick, walking with help from his fiance, Michelle. This, less than five months after suffering a devastating spinal injury in December.

Shazier has been undergoing rehabilitation since undergoing spinal stabilization surgery on Dec. 6 and has made a remarkable recovery thus far as he continues to regain mobility. Though the family has been quiet about his prognosis, Shazier has made appearances at various sporting events in Pittsburgh as he continues his miraculous recovery. He continues to be the heart of Pittsburgh’s strong defence — and, as we saw Thursday, he’s very much in the hearts and minds of sports fans everywhere.

It was an incredible moment that captured the emotions of everyone watching Thursday’s big event. Here’s how some members of the football world reacted:

https://twitter.com/CFD22/status/989704280805343237

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