Shaquill Griffin spent the 2019 season backing up a promise he made in June during offseason workouts, and as a result, he is Pro Bowl bound.
Unhappy with how his 2018 season went, Griffin vowed last summer that he would be better, saying "I’ve got to be more than just good, I've got to be more than great, I've got to be elite, and I've got to be that type of guy they can count on."
Griffin was all of those things during the 2019 season, which is why the third-year cornerback will play in his first Pro Bowl, having been named to the NFC squad as a replacement for Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who will not participate in the Pro Bowl due to injury.
Griffin bounced back from what he considered to be a disappointing 2018 campaign by getting himself into better shape—he reported to camp about 12 pounds lighter in 2019—and also by changing his mindset, saying his focus shifted from stats and accolades to being a better teammate and leader. The result was a season in which Griffin was Seattle's top cornerback all year, posting a team-high 13 passes defensed to go along with 65 tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, Griffin had the highest forced incompletion rate (21.2 percent) among cornerbacks.
"He has had a terrific season," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said last month. "He has been productive, he has been consistent, he has been really active. It's a whole step forward from where he was last year. He's playing like he's capable of playing. I really hope that this would've been year two. I think last year, he and I both realized it, didn't set it up the right way in the way we approached it. He fixed that this offseason and you can tell the results. He's been consistently on it. He's been fast, flying the whole time, the whole season. He has been really aggressive and wanting to challenge everything. He has had a great season."
Griffin's addition to the NFC team gives the Seahawks three Pro Bowlers this year, with quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner having been named to the team last month. The Pro Bowl is this Sunday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, a short drive from the University of Central Florida where he and twin brother, Shaquem, played before being drafted by the Seahawks.
Pete Carroll and the rest of the Seahawks coaching staff will coach the NFC team, the first time Carroll's staff has coached a Pro Bowl.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' Divisional game against the Green Bay Packers. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
On Friday afternoon, Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin headed to the team buses to begin the trip to Green Bay for the Divisional Playoff game against the Packers.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson leaves the Virginia Mason Athletic Center and heads to the team buses.
12s lined the road to wish the Seahawks luck as they began the trip to Green Bay.
Seahawks Jadeveon Clowney, Dekoda Watson and Ryan Neal prepare to board the charter flight to Green Bay on Friday.
On Saturday, Cody Barton and Nick Bellore arrive with the team which traveled by bus from the hotel to a local practice facility for their walk-thru.
Running back Travis Homer packs a snowball on his way into the team's Saturday walk-thru, remarking he hadn't seen much snow in his life having grown up and attended college in south Florida.
Linebacker K.J. Wright, CB Shaquill Griffin, and LBs Bobby Wagner and Cody Barton review strategy during a break in the team's Saturday walk-thru.
Seahawks receivers coach Nate Carroll talks with Malik Turner during walk-thru on Saturday.
Head coach Pete Carroll talks to the Seahawks players and coaches at the end of Saturday's walk-thru.
After walk-thru, the Seahawks headed for a quick visit to Lambeau Field, site of Sunday's Divisional Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers.
On Sunday morning, backup quarterback Geno Smith reviewed signals with quarterback Russell Wilson before the offensive meeting in one of the large rooms at the team hotel.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf walks to the bus for the ride to the stadium on Sunday.
Running back Marshawn Lynch heads to the buses for the ride to the stadium before the game.
On the field, defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr., gets fired up with the linebacking corps including Sutton Smith, Ben Burr-Kirven and Cody Barton.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider and Pete Carroll talk on the field during early pregame.
Seahawks offensive guard D.J. Fluker stretches during early pregame, wearing only shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt in the 20-degree weather.
Seahawks offensive tackle Germain Ifedi gets dressed in the visitors locker room prior to the game.
Returners Tyler Lockett and Ugo Amadi leave the locker room for pregame warmups.
As he makes his way to the field, Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner accepts greetings from 12s who made the trip to support the team.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner stretches with the team during pregame.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson stretches during pregame warmups.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson leads the team down the narrow hallway to the field for pregame introductions.
The Seahawks take the field during pregame introductions.
Head referee Clete Blakeman tosses the coin as team captains look on.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney brings down Green Bay's Aaron Jones in the first quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson throws on the run during the first quarter.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch gains yards in the first quarter.
Seahawks safety Bradley McDougald closes on Green Bay's Jamaal Williams.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett grabs a 28-yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson on Seattle's first scoring drive of the game.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers converts on a 45-yard field goal.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett on a 31-yard pass play during a drive in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf looks for running room on a 13-yard gain in the second quarter.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers forces Packers Jake Kumerow to bobble the ball for an incomplete pass.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles as guard Phil Haynes blocks. Haynes was playing in his first-ever NFL game due to an injury to Jamarco Jones.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister tries to make the play amid a trio of Packers defenders on a Hail Mary at the end of the first half.
Offensive line coach Mike Solari talks to his players in the locker room at halftime.
Seahawks defenders pay attention as assistant coach Andre Curtis reviews strategy at halftime.
Assistant coaches Nate Carroll, Brian Schottenheimer and Austin Davis confer with quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Geno Smith in the locker room at halftime.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister is brought down short of the goal line on Seattle's opening drive of the second half.
Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, head coach Pete Carroll, and backup quarterback Geno Smith confer with Russell Wilson during a timeout.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch barrels into the end zone with a one-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll reacts as Marshawn Lynch's touchdown cut the deficit to 21-10 early in the second half.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson leaves a Packers defender in his wake on a third quarter run.
Seahawks tight end Luke Willson races upfield after taking an improvised pass from Russell Wilson during the third quarter.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett is congratulated by teammate DK Metcalf after Lockett's seven-yard touchdown reception.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf stretches for more yardage after a reception in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks running back Travis Homer heads up the sidelines on a 16-yard gain to set up a Seattle touchdown.
Seahawks defenders Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin bring down Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks defenders Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin celebrate after bringing down Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney pressures Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talks to defensive captain Bobby Wagner during a timeout late in the game.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson looks up at the scoreboard as time runs out on Seattle's comeback.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf walks off the field after the game.
The Seahawks listen as head coach Pete Carroll addresses them after the game in the locker room.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, who joined the game late in the season, addresses his teammates in the locker room after the game.
Seahawks quarterback and captain Russell Wilson brings the team together for a final time after the season-ending loss to the Packers.
As snow fell late on Sunday evening, Seahawks offensive lineman Jordan Roos walks with teammates to their charter flight at the Green Bay airport for the return trip to Seattle.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett and team Vice-President of Player Engagement Mo Kelly walk across the snow-covered tarmac from the bus to the waiting team charter for the return trip to Seattle.
As has been their custom all season, loyal 12s were waiting to greet the Seahawks upon their return to the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, even at the early hour of 3am on Monday morning.
