The Steelers' first-round draft pick wasn't who anyone thought it would be. And it wasn't made by the guy who typically announces the selections.
Ryan Shazier walked to the podium at AT&T Stadium and announced the Steelers' selection of Virginia Tech safety Terrell Edmunds with the 28th pick in the draft, etching an indelible memory in everyone's mind regarding the selection, even Kevin Colbert.
Colbert had seen Shazier walk with the help of a physical therapist. But Shazier made his way across the stage in Arlington, Texas, with only his fianceé, Michelle Rodriguez, at his side, something Colbert hadn't seen.
"I haven't seen it to that level. I have seen it in a rehab-type of setting. When he walked with Michelle, really that was the first time we've seen him without a therapist in his presence," Colbert said Thursday night. "It's something he has done on his own at home.
"Where he was that Sunday night in Cincinnati to where he is now is really uplifting."
Where Shazier was Dec. 4 in Cincinnati was paralyzed from the waist down while making a tackle, wondering if he would ever walk again. But he has slowly continued to gain more and more mobility, from pushing himself around in a wheelchair, to standing to walking.
Shazier has maintained his ultimate goal is to someday play in the NFL again. And the Steelers fully support him in that goal.
What happened Thursday night was the next step, both figuratively and literally in that direction.
"It was awesome," Colbert said. "We knew Ryan was going to do that. It was always going to be up to him. We gave him goals. We tried to help him with his rehab. We've been at his rehab and have seen his progress. He had chosen not to walk until he felt comfortable doing it. From where he was that night in Cincinnati and to see where he is now, it's so inspiring.
"To know that's not it, he's certainly not done, there's nobody going to tell the young man he's not playing. That's totally his decision. I know he wants to get out there and do it again. The progress he's made, I'm not going to doubt him."
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The moment of the draft came when Ryan Shazier walked out onto the stage with his fiancée, Michelle, to announce the Steelers' first-round pick of Terrell Edmunds.
Just watch for yourself:
We all #SHALIEVE. pic.twitter.com/cByTumbaHa
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 27, 2018
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