(Image via wctv.tv)

The story of Shaquem Griffin, 2013 U.S. National Team alum and recent Seattle Seahawks drafteee, has been told and retold in recent months. The former Central Florida linebacker was born with amniotic band syndrome, a prenatal condition that rendered his left hand useless. He had it amputated at age 4, and beat the odds to be selected in the NFL Draft's fifth round. 

While Griffin is the first one-handed player in the modern era to be drafted, he's not the first athlete to have played with such limitations at the collegiate level. In fact, one player arguably overcame a more impressive obstacle.

RELATED CONTENT: How National Team alum Shaquem Griffin did 20 bench press reps at 225 pounds at the NFL Combine

Carl Joseph can relate to Griffin's situation. He was born without a left leg 57 years ago, but still managed to become a three-sport athlete (football, basketball and track and field) at Madison High School, located on the Florida panhandle, where he graduated in 1980. He continued his football-playing career at Bethune-Cookman, and was later inducted into the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.

"I was so happy when I saw Shaquem get drafted," Joseph told The Orlando Sentinel. “It brought back so many memories for me. It’s clear Shaquem doesn’t believe he is disabled — and that’s really where it all starts. It’s not in the limb; it’s in the mind. If you believe you’re not disabled, then you’re not disabled. You might have a missing hand or a missing leg, but your mind is your most powerful body part.”

 

Joseph didn't just play. As a nose guard in high school, he recorded 11 solo tackles in one game. During track season, he high-jumped 5 feet, 10 inches, threw a shot put 40 feet and a discus 130 feet.

Also, as the above video demonstrates, he didn't use a prosthetic leg. He simply hopped. Joseph said he destroyed every prosthetic leg he tried, and as one of 10 children, replacing a broken prosthetic wasn't always practical.

“Back then [in the 1970s and '80s], artificial legs weren’t what they are today,” Joseph said. “They were hard and heavy and uncomfortable. I felt like the wooden leg slowed me down. I grew up hopping and that’s how I felt the most comfortable.”

RELATED CONTENT: Shaquem Griffin makes history as Seattle selects him in fifth round

Joseph currently coaches middle school football in his hometown, and serves as a ready-made inspiration for his players.

“Your eyes are a wonderful thing, but they can play tricks on you,” he said. “The thing about your eyes is that they only see the missing hand or the missing leg, but they are blind to the power and the glory of your mind.”