Ryan Shazier is far from finished — that much is certain.
After suffering a spinal injury during a game against the Bengals Dec. 4, 2017, many wondered if the Steelers linebacker would walk again.
Then, Shazier walked. Then, he lifted weights. Then, he jogged.
Now, speaking with media in Atlanta ahead of Super Bowl LIII, Shazier says his ultimate goal hasn't changed: He wants to get back on the football field.
"I definitely want to play," Shazier told Fox Sports Radio. "I try to tell people at the end of the day, just because I got hurt, (that) doesn’t mean I lost the love of the game of football. I love football so much. I just care about the game."
In Shazier's eyes, his career was just getting started, and the thought of leaving it behind with that 2017 game as the final chapter doesn't sit well.
"I feel like I was the best linebacker in the league," Shazier said. "I don’t want to leave that as my legacy. I feel like I have so much to show.”
According to Shazier, the doctors in charge of his recovery and rehab are impressed with his progress thus far.
“My doctor said I am further than they expected me to be,” Shazier said. “The rehab, the recovery and the pace I have been doing — there are no doors closed. He said, 'You have to keep working, keep grinding.'"
The fact he sees his teammates "every single day" only intensifies Shazier's longing for the gridiron. Shazier told media he's constantly around them at the Rooney Complex, and his presence adds motivation on both sides.
"I know I am still motivating those guys because they see me pushing every single day," Shazier said. "It pushes them, too. Sometimes it hurts because I might see our defense went on a slump and we didn’t have any turnovers and I knew I could have gone out there and made something happen or made a play."
Finally, Shazier teased a special milestone.
"I try to make goals for myself constantly, so I always have something to reach for," Shazier said. "I have been knocking them off one step at a time. Once I reach my next goal I am going to let everybody see.”
