(Photo via si.com)

Shaquem Griffin, former University of Central Florida standout and a 2013 U.S. National Team alum, has been named the inaugural winner of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, the Dallas Cowboys reported today.

Griffin, a linebacker, was named All-American Athletic Conference for the second time last season and was the Peach Bowl Defensive MVP in the 13-0 Knights’ 34-27 win over Auburn.

RELATED CONTENT: National Team alumni and identical twins Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin are making waves on their football teams

The award honors exemplary leadership on and off the field by a college football player. Witten played host to Griffin and two other finalists at The Star, the Cowboys’ headquarters in Frisco, Texas. He was selected from an original field of 155 nominees.

Shaquem Griffin as a U.S. National Team player in 2013.

Griffin was born without use of his left hand, and had it amputated at age 4.

“Whoever thought a kid like me, growing up where I’m from and growing through all the adversity I had, to be able to have the opportunity to be here for a major award and a major event,” Griffin told dallascowboys.com. “I’m happy, I’m blessed. It was a long road, and just to have the opportunity be able to talk before you and receive this award, it just goes to show that what I’m doing is the right thing.”

VIDEO / @Shaquemgriffin from @UCF_Football was awarded the @WittenCMOY for his leadership on and off the field #Knight pic.twitter.com/pJvaswNyUp

— Pedro Silva (@pedritosilva) February 23, 2018

Congratulations to @Shaquemgriffin from @UCF_Football on winning the inaugural Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award, presented to the FBS player who has shown exemplary leadership on and off the field. Well deserved! pic.twitter.com/sFBISL5W9d

— Jason Witten Award (@WittenCMOY) February 23, 2018

Witten, a 15-year NFL veteran who has been named to 11 Pro Bowls, said Griffin “embodies everything that is great about college football.

“Over the last 20, 25 years of my life, I’ve been playing football,” Witten said. “To think to do that without one of my limbs, it’s really remarkable, just the fact that he’s out there, he’s out there on that stage playing big-time Division I college football. And then to be good and to be successful, it shows his courage, his toughness, and really, he has no quit in him.”

Griffin is eligible for the NFL Draft, set for April 26-28 in Arlington, Texas, and will be in Indianapolis next weekend for the NFL scouting combine.

Shaquem Griffin is more than a feel good story. (via @PFF_Sam)

📰: https://t.co/N4RvFlEZZz pic.twitter.com/KVsmgAJG05

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) February 23, 2018

As part of the award, Griffin will receive a $10,000 contribution in his name to Central Florida’s athletic fund.