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Shaquem Griffin finally gets his invite to the NFL scouting combine

Shaquem Griffin of UCF is headed to the NFL Scouting Combine. (AP Photo)
Shaquem Griffin of UCF is headed to the NFL Scouting Combine. (AP Photo)

Shaquem Griffin, the one-handed linebacker out of the University of Central Florida, probably didn’t need a lesson in patience. But he got one anyway. Just when it seemed like Griffin wouldn’t receive an invitation to the NFL’s yearly scouting combine, he got the call he’d been waiting for. He’s going to the combine.

Here’s what Griffin said in his video:

“I want to let you all know I got invited to the NFL Combine. Thank you for all your support. The entire nation was behind me and I couldn’t do it without you. Something special is coming soon and you’re going to see it. They invited the right one to the NFL Combine and I’m going to show you. I’ve got a lot to prove. Against all odds.”

Griffin is one of the best stories of the college football season. Born with a rare birth defect that necessitated the amputation of his left hand when he was just four, he’s inspired many with his tenacity and his talent. He hasn’t just helped UCF turn around their football program, he was the 2016 American Athletic Conference defensive player of the year, helped lead UCF to victory in the Peach Bowl, and was invited to the Senior Bowl.

Griffin is both talented and inspirational, which is why it was baffling that he didn’t receive an invitation to the combine. He might be a long shot to be drafted by an NFL team, but there are so many positive aspects to Griffin even just participating in the combine — not to mention the positive press the NFL would get.

Who knows why Griffin wasn’t initially invited, but it couldn’t matter in the least since the NFL has obviously seen the light. As Griffin himself said, they invited the right one.

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Liz Roscher is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at lizroscher@yahoo.com or follow her on twitter! Follow @lizroscher