Steelers’ Ryan Shazier named winner of George Halas Award for overcoming adversity

Ryan Shazier on Monday was named the 51^st winner of the annual George Halas Award, an honor given annually by the Professional Football Writers of America to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.

Shazier underwent spinal stabilization surgery in December 2017 after suffering a frightening injury during a Monday night game at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium. He’s since repeatedly beat poor prognoses by walking, lifting weights, working out and even dancing at his own wedding last month.

The full press release on @RyanShazier receiving the 2019 PFWA George Halas Award is here: https://t.co/gx3L1jq4Uv pic.twitter.com/TzKTkkeYW7

— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) June 3, 2019

Shazier remains on the Steelers roster, although the team has announced that he will not play again this year. Popular among his teammates before his injury and an inspiration to them since, Shazier has remained a regular with the Steelers at their UPMC Rooney Sports Complex facility over the past 18 months.

Steelers running back James Conner joined Shazier as one of five nominees for the Halas Award. Shazier the third member of the organization to win it, joining Rocky Bleier in 1975 and John Stallworth a decade later.

Conner was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2015 but returned to amass more than 1,000 rushing yards the following season for Pitt before being drafted by the Steelers in 2017. Conner became a Pro Bowler last season in his first extensive action in the NFL.

18 months ago, there were fears Ryan Shazier might never walk again.

Last night, he danced at his wedding ?

(via @Love_Ola_9) pic.twitter.com/aW9nxFhwvD

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 4, 2019

The San Francisco 49ers’ Marquise Goodwin won the Halas Award last season. Goodwin and his wife lost an infant son hours prior to a 2017 game.

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