Ryan Shazier returns to Steelers practice in wheelchair, brings 'joy to everybody'

On January 12, 2018, Pittsburgh Steelers player Ryan Shazier returned to the team’s training facilities in a wheelchair, joining his teammates for practices and meetings following a major spinal injury. The 25-year-old shared his return on social media, expressing gratitude to fans and the team’s supporters, and stating that he was working harder than ever to recover. He compared his rehabilitation progress to achieving first downs, writing that the touchdown would come in its own time.

Shazier underwent spinal stabilization surgery on December 7 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The surgery followed an injury sustained on the field on Monday, December 5. According to a report by WPXI-Pittsburgh, Shazier had recently regained feeling in his legs. His father, Vernon Shazier, a minister from Florida, publicly shared that his son was making daily progress, though he remained a long way from his condition on the night of the injury.

A first-round draft pick for the Steelers, Shazier had started all 12 games he appeared in during the season. Following his hospitalization, supporters and teammates rallied around him using the hashtag “Shalieve.” After one victory, Shazier connected with the team via a FaceTime call from his hospital room to celebrate with the locker room.

While Shazier did not release specific details regarding his physical status, his continued use of a wheelchair indicated the severe nature of the injury and the length of the recovery process ahead.