Good afternoon, 12s!
Here's a look at what's out there today – Friday, February 12 – about your Seattle Seahawks.
"There's Only Ability"
Kick off your Friday with this feel-good story of the day. Amidst the beginning of the NFL offseason, Shaquem Griffin continues to be an inspiration to athletes everywhere - particularly to those with adaptive needs.
Griffin teamed up The Hartford, an advocate for sustainability, leadership and human achievement, that works to empower youth and adults with disabilities by making adaptive equipment and sports more accessible. Two Tampa Bay-area athletes with Cerebral Palsy were surprised with adaptive equipment, J.T., an 11-year-old boy, and Samantha, a 33-year-old woman and full-time wheelchair user. J.T. received a total gym - just like one that he has used in therapy, and Samantha received a custom sport racing chair.
"We don't have any disability, there's only ability," Griffin told the athletes, offering virtual words of encouragement and swapping stories. As an athlete who had his left hand amputated at the age of four as the result of a congenital birth defect, Griffin says "I never want to feel like I can't compete with someone else, and vice-versa."
With the help of their new equipment, children and adults alike can excel and achieve in their sport, with the necessary tools to be great.
On a recent "Talkin' Seahawks" Podcast with NBC Sports Northwest, Griffin spoke on being differently abled: "When it comes to athleticism and it comes to doing things, we are competitive, regardless… I want you to see me and know that if you want to do something, you have to fight for it as hard as I did."
"For me to be able to be close to J.T. and Sam, and being from the Tampa area, and being able to gift them with those - being able to see the kids be happy… I'm just blessed, and it's a very emotional time."
12s can listen to the full podcast episode here.
Black-Owned Business and Restauranteur Spotlight - Eduardo Jordan
As we continue through Black History Month, we're focused on highlighting Black-Owned businesses and restaurants throughout Seattle this week. We're proud to highlight Eduardo Jordan, who is the two-time James Beard Award winning chef of Salare, Junebaby, and Lucinda restaurants.
Jordan grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he studied business at the University of Florida, eventually moving to Seattle in 2012. Since then, he's acquired a variety of awards, including being named one of Food & Wine's "Best New Chefs" in 2016 and being a finalist for "Best Chef, Northwest" in 2017.
Jordan's second Seattle restaurant, Junebaby, received national attention in 2017. Junebaby serves up southern food in Seattle's Ravenna neighborhood, and was named one of Food & Wine's ten best restaurants in 2018.
In addition to making a great impact on the local culinary scene, Jordan also hosts a Soul of Seattle event, which was established in 2019 to empower Seattle-based Black culinarians. Soul of Seattle works to highlight and build community around Black excellence. This year, it focuses on local Black-owned restaurants and local nonprofits mentoring urban students and teens of color.
Social Post Of The Day
Today's social post comes from the official Instagram account of Lumen Field, as they post a video of yesterday's snowfall in Seattle. Stay safe and warm this weekend, 12s!
More From Seahawks.com
Seahawks.com continues its position-by-position offseason breakdown, resuming with the Tight End position.
