WATCH: One year after suffering a spinal cord injury Ryan Shazier walks onto field that nearly paralyzed him
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals continue their heated rivalry this afternoon in a game that could have long-term ramifications on the AFC North race.
One of the players dressed in black and yellow street clothes on the sideline is former Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier, who returns to Paul Brown Stadium for the first time since suffering a life-altering spinal cord injury nearly one year ago.
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You can only imagine what’s going on in his head while he walks on the field:
314 Days Ago: Ryan Shazier was carted off Paul Brown Stadium with a spinal cord injury that doctors thought might keep him from waking ever again. Today, he walked back on that field for the first time since (📷 by @AKinkhabwala) pic.twitter.com/BSELZehRtT
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 14, 2018
It clearly meant a lot to Shazier, who took to Twitter to express his thoughts:
It’s been a long journey, but this is still a ways to go. But it all started here in Cincinnati. Today was an amazing day I was so thankful to be able to tell everyone thank you. #Shalieve pic.twitter.com/wItKXNp5ya
— Ryan Shazier (@RyanShazier) October 14, 2018
Pretty cool moment for an all-time Buckeye great.