33 Facts About Ryan Shazier

Ryan Dean Shazier is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League.

Ryan Shazier played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Ryan Shazier initially committed to play for Urban Meyer at Florida but rescinded his commitment after Meyer resigned as the Gators head coach.

Ryan Shazier then committed to play under Jim Tressel at Ohio State, but Tressel resigned five months later and was eventually replaced with Urban Meyer.

Ryan Shazier's first start came near the end of the season against Penn State, where he recorded 15 tackles.

Ryan Shazier started the next two games and ended his season with 57 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.

Against Penn State, Ryan Shazier posted 8 tackles, 2 sacks, and an interception in the third quarter that he returned for the game-deciding touchdown.

Ryan Shazier had 5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles for the season.

Ryan Shazier was voted a first-team All-American by the Associated Press, USA Today, ESPN.

Ryan Shazier had a career-high 6 sacks and 4 forced fumbles.

On January 5,2014, Ryan Shazier announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2014 NFL Draft.

Ryan Shazier finished his career at Ohio State with 315 tackles, 208 solo tackles, and 14.5 sacks.

Ryan Shazier was ranked the third best outside linebacker and the 19th best prospect by NFLDraftScout.

Ryan Shazier was invited to the NFL Combine and was able to perform almost all the workouts and positional drills except for the 40,20, and 10 yard dash.

Ryan Shazier participated at Ohio State's Pro Day and was able to finish the drills he didn't complete at the combine.

Ryan Shazier received numerous positive reviews for his athleticism, agility, production, flexibility, acceleration, strong hands, and lateral movement.

Ryan Shazier was the third linebacker taken in the draft behind Khalil Mack and Anthony Barr.

Ryan Shazier began the season as the starting left inside linebacker.

Ryan Shazier made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Steelers' home opener against the Cleveland Browns.

Ryan Shazier returned for his first game back from his injury on October 26,2014, against the Indianapolis Colts.

Ryan Shazier finished the game with four tackles.

On September 10,2015, Ryan Shazier made five solo tackles and two assists in the season opener at the New England Patriots.

Ryan Shazier sacked 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for his first career sack.

Ryan Shazier made his first career interception, after picking off Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler.

On January 9,2016, during the AFC wild card game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Ryan Shazier stripped the ball from Jeremy Hill with 1:36 left in the fourth quarter.

Ryan Shazier returned to his starting inside linebacker role to begin the 2016 season.

Ryan Shazier was ranked 47th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.

On September 9,2020, Ryan Shazier announced his retirement from the NFL.

Ryan Shazier has alopecia, an autoimmune condition which prevents the growth of hair on the body.

However, with support and encouragement from his parents, Ryan Shazier developed an altruistic temperament to deal with the jabs and name calling.

Seventeen months after suffering a spinal injury that doctors feared would leave him paralyzed, Ryan Shazier was able to dance at his wedding.

In January 2023, Ryan Shazier partnered with the cannabis company Organic Remedies to launch a line of cannabis products named Steel City Greats.

Ryan Shazier says that while recovering from his spinal injury, he was seeking a "safe, natural alternative to opioid pain medications" and that cannabis provided him with a "restorative healing that allowed [him] to manage the pain through a difficult time in [his] life".