Fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins are accustomed to watching talented, tough athletes excel at a very physical and challenging game. Tuesday night they showed some love to talented, tough athlete from another team (and sport)—the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It was Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier.
A well-deserved STANDING ovation for this guy.
Welcome to the game, @RyanShazier! 👍 pic.twitter.com/IhBscrsXTT
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 7, 2018
Fans began to cheer when the PA announcer welcomed him to the game, but they really got loud when he stood up and gave the crowd a wave.
The 25-year old linebacker suffered a season-ending spinal injury against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 last season. He ended up having to have spinal stabilization surgery and has spent quite a bit of time in the hospital.
There has been sufficient progress in his condition for him to be discharged from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Rehabilitation Institute last Thursday. But he will still need months of rehab which he will be doing as part of an outpatient therapy program.
His dad shared the news in January when he regained feeling in his legs. But at that time, he declined to say whether his son could walk or not. However, over the weekend, Ryan confirmed reports that he is indeed walking again. But it is hard for him, and he does need a walker or help from others.
Shazier was a first-round pick for the Steelers out of Ohio State back in the 2014 NFL Draft. He acclimated quickly to the NFL game and had become one of the better young linebackers in the league.
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