PERU, Neb. - Recently retired NFL linebacker Shaquem Griffin was on the campus of Peru State College Tuesday delivering a message of perseverance, overcoming adversity and having a belief in yourself at the campuses Performing Arts Center as part of its Distinguished Speaker Series.

Griffin was born with a condition known as Amniotic Band Syndrome which affected his left hand. The hand didn't grow correctly, and it caused him unbearable pain. Any little bump on the counter or a wall would send an unbelievable amount of pain to Griffin's hand.

Because of this, Griffin was unable to participate in everyday activities as kid with his brothers and friends such as football, which led him to the unthinkable.

"At four years old, my mom caught me in the kitchen," Griffin said. "I had climbed on top of the counter, grabbed a knife and attempted to cut off my own fingers."

Griffin's mother ultimately stopped him in the act, but the decision was made the next day to have his hand amputated. A decision that sent Griffin onto the trajectory that helped him chase his dreams. 

Griffin ended up becoming the 2016 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year at the University of Central Florida and the 2018 Peach Bowl Most Valuable Player alongside his brother Shaquil under former Nebraska head coach Scott Frost. Griffin would later become the first one-handed NFL player when he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft. 

  Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images

This success led Griffin to his life motto: "Please don't tell me what I can't do."

Griffin retired Aug. 24, 2022, but he still works every day to share his story with as many people as he can.

He said "belief" in yourself, and your abilities can greatly affect your outlook on life in a positive way. 

And having a positive outlook can help keep self-doubt away, which he says can be detrimental to a person's growth.

Griffin asked the crowd to raise a hand if they had at least one person who supported them.

After majority of the crowd had a hand raised, the 27-year-old said sometimes there will be hard times and obstacles in the way, but folks going through things mentally should lean on that support system.

"Lean on that person," Griffin said. "Whenever you're feeling doubt, find somebody to lean on. You don't have to be strong all the time. You can try to run away from it...but it will always catch up with you. So lean on those who love you."

Griffin closed his session by telling the crowd to not fear failure and to "fail your way to the top" before sharing his new goal. A goal that he is already on the path to achieving. 

"If I could teach one thing to somebody," Griffin said. "They can teach somebody the next day...but it starts with one step at a time."