Twin brothers Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin were the focus of a great deal of media attention last year when Shaquem, the NFL’s first one-handed linebacker, was drafted by the Seahawks and joined Shaquill in Seattle. Shaquem even got the start in the season opener in place of the injured K.J. Wright.
“I think both the brothers really took it to heart,” coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday. “They know that they had gone through a tremendous amount last year, and it was a distraction for them and they had to live with it. It remains such a great story and it was so hot for so long. As well as they apply themselves, and tried to deal with it, it was more than anyone else had in that regard.”
A lot has changed for the brothers over the last year. Shaquill, one of the team’s starting cornerbacks, struggled in his second season in the NFL. Shaquem was relegated to mostly special teams duty after the thrill of his first start. Both made positive changes over the offseason, looking ahead to 2019.
“So, both guys together, they dieted great, they worked out great, they came back the fastest we have ever seen them, the most fit, leanest, and you could tell,” Carroll said. “You only get that through hard work. I think they have been able to figure it out, and manage and navigate their way through the attention all. I think both guys would feel much better – I know they feel much better about their preparation and going at it. Other than Griff missing a week or so here, they’ve both had really good camps.”
Shaquem, who sat out the last two matchups with a sore knee, returned to practice Tuesday and has a shot to appear in the final preseason game Thursday night against the Raiders.
