Shazier

Coach Mike Tomlin announced today that Ryan Shazier is no longer with the Steelers. "Ryan is focused on some transitional things in his life and that’s where his focus is right now."

 

Shazier couldn't be kept on the sidelines due to covid restrictions limiting the amount of people a team could have on the sidelines

 

Did he voluntarily choose not to be on the team?

 

I am just spit balling here but I would think besides the reason mentioned above his current contract had expired and the Rooney's, KC, Coach Tomlin and Ryan agreed not to go through an embarrassing contact negotiation where they would again place him on IR. I think this has to a mutual agreement to have Ryan step away from the Steelers and continue his rehab without the team using roster spots. Im sure they are leaving the door open a tiny crack.

 

Good luck to him!

 

Whatever the case, may Ryan have only the best of fortunes going forward.

 

Tomlin later said it wasn't due to Covid restricitions..just that Shazier was going to focus on the next chapter, whether it be business or coaching he didn't say.

 

Best wishes to him moving forward in life... It truly sucks given everything under the scope. The Steelers more than stood by him and gave him a window. Wether that window is closed or not I do not know but I do know this, I will never question the man's resolve nor rule anything out. I am beyond astonished at his recovery and the dude is still built like a brick sh!t house albeit the noticeable impaired mobile fluidity needed moving forward. I won't count him out period but time is a race... Hope he wins! Truly inspiring!

 

A big part of carrying Shazier was for continuing medical coverage. Has he now accumulated enough years to continue that coverage without being on the roster? Vested somehow?

 

He's probably better off leaving the Steelers and pursuing a separate path. Sticking around made sense as long as the dream of returning to play was alive, but after nearly 3yrs, I suspect even Shazier knew that it wasn't gonna happen.

If he wants to coach, he's better off going elsewhere, maybe at the college level, learn his craft and making his own way.
If he doesn't want to coach, he needs to get on with that too.

Best of luck to him. I hope he succeeds in whatever endeavor he chooses.

 

Such an exiting player to watch who had his career end way too early. Glad he can walk and carry on with his life. Good luck along your journey Ryan. I mean that in the most sincere way.

 

I'm a true believer that one person does make a difference in team sports. How many NBA Championships would the Chicago Bulls have had minus MJ??????????? That said I'm convinced Jacksonville does not come into the Burgh and embarrass us if Shazier was playing. We would have been embarrassed a week later in New England.

 

The Steelers definitely did the right thing keeping Shaz on the roster and honoring his entire contract. I wish him the best and I hope he can remain connected to the organization in some way

 

As always, I wish Ryan the best. Seems weird that he won't be a part of the organization in some way. I hope he finds his way back some day.

 

you know what's funny is he is on IR in last years Madden. I finished my 1 year on franchise mode and he was up for FA but me being somewhat of a realist I figured that he would continue on IR and didn't resign him. So as a free agent he signed with NE and played the next season. Apparently EA does know what to do with potential career ending injuries.

 

Hey biggbunch68.

I extracted the following from that article:

"Shazier did have a lot of support. The organization tolled his contract in 2018 and kept him on the payroll, allowing him to also receive his regular medical insurance -- until this year, when he was moved to the reserve/retired list. He maintained a locker in the team's UPMC practice facility and was a fixture on the sideline at practice and on game days".

I think many of us here, as well as Steelers' fans in general were aware of the Organization's financial support for Mr. Shazier. One word I think all of us agree upon: "Classy". I would have expected nothing less from this great organization.

Any athlete, no matter the level of participation, to varying degrees, understands what Mr. Shazier has been going through.
Athletes + Injuries= Mental Anguish is basically a given formula. However, It is not just athletes that "suffer" when a "loss" of something that they cherished and is dear to them has occurred. It can be applied to many other situations in life besides sports. Check out the link below.

Five stages of grief

Personally, from the athletic chapters in my life, I can tell you that these stages are real. I hope that Mr. Shazier has been getting all of the support necessary to triumph through this process. Again, it seems that the Steelers' Organization sure has done its part to help.



STEELWINDS AKA The East Side Kid

 

It's because of Covid-19 restrictions, only essential personnel is allowed in the building, and on the sidelines.