DICK’S House of Sport hosts second annual adaptive sports field day with former amputee NFL player Shaquem Griffin

JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. (WBNG) -- This morning, former amputee NFL player Shaquem Griffin returned to DICK’S House of Sport for the second year to be a part of a free adaptive sports event for those with limb loss or limb difference.

Griffin showed anything was possible in 2018 when the amputee star without a left hand was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Griffin spent four years in the league before retiring from the sport in 2022.

When Griffin was younger, he would hide the fact that he was an amputee, but on Saturday, he wanted to make sure everyone who attended the day embraced who they are.

“Instead of running away, just embrace, let everyone see it, let everyone know who you are and what you have,” Griffin said. “There is always going to be the next example, and we’re just playing our part to be able to share and bring light.”

DICK’S House of Sport teamed up with Hanger Clinic to let visitors play soccer, rock climb and more. Griffin wasn’t the only one that people were looking up to on Saturday.

One of those role models was Vestal native Alexia Michitti, who was born without a right hand.

Michitti overcame the challenge, becoming a captain and goalkeeper for the very first Team USA Amputees Women’s World Cup squad in 2024.

“When I was little, I only knew one other person in the area that looked like me, but seeing how many people are here now that all have limb differences, and seeing these kids in the community and getting to play with them a little bit on the soccer field is pretty nice, too,” said Michitti.

Michitti now makes it a priority to be there for the younger generation.

“I want to be a connection for people, young kids through adults in the limb difference community or any disability, because when I was younger, I didn’t really have that too much,” Michitti said. “But as I have gotten older, there’s been more people like Shaquem, Jim Abbott, Bethany Hamilton that have paved the way for people to step up and create opportunity.”

Arnav Sundeep was born with a limb difference that affects all four extremities. That did not hold him back from attempting the rock wall and other activities on Saturday.

Sundeep and his family also live in Vestal, so Michitti has been an inspiration to the family.

“Alexia has been fantastic,“ said Sundeep’s family. ”We are going to her house for a party."

Michitti was representing her adaptive clothing company called EM13RACE.