Its been over two years since Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier experienced a life-changing injury that would affect his career and every-day dealings. Shazier sustained a back injury that left him thinking he may never walk again...
But Shazier is proving everyone wrong and making progress every day, in hopes of one day returning to the field of play.
Shazier didn’t play a single snap for the Steelers last year, but the team decided to convert his $8.2 million salary into a bonus, which we can all agree is a class move.
The team aims to keep Shazier on track by keeping him on the roster for the 2019 season which, as CBS Sports notes, has plenty of positive outcomes:
This means that Shazier will be paid a salary commensurate with his years of service in the NFL. The move by Pittsburgh also means that Shazier will continue to accrue seasons toward his NFL players’ pension, and most importantly, it means that he’ll have the same medical insurance plan that every other active NFL player receives.
I think we can agree that the Steelers are looking out for the well-being of the players and the organization as a whole. Now that the cancerous Antonio Brown has been removed, the team can start healing and growing.
Good luck Shaze, and Steelers.