The Gold Standard of Motivational Speakers for Your Next Engagement

It’s Homecoming Week across the nation, where thousands of alumni make the trek back to their alma mater, reconnecting with old stomping grounds and familiar faces from eras gone by. It’s the foundation for the career you hope to earn a living in, and the relationships you build that carry you through all phases of life.

This weekend at the University of Central Florida (UCF) will be no different as tailgates fire up with the aroma of charcoal grilling, cold drinks flowing, the laughter and camaraderie of young families and friends playing lawn games, united in their passion to watch their beloved Knights football team.  

The school, founded in 1963 amongst modest orange groves and sparse development, has absolutely exploded and risen through several iterations of athletic conferences, now residing in the Big 12 Conference. That rise was only possible on the backs of heroic performances and the athletic excellence of former football greats like Shaquem Griffin.

When fans and the Central Florida region at large remember his time in the black and gold, they are reminded of an enduring symbol of determination, faith, and grit.

Afflicted with amniotic band syndrome, his left hand was amputated at age four after excruciating pain led him to attempt self-amputation with a kitchen knife. Undeterred, Shaquem thrived in sports alongside twin brother Shaquill Griffin, channeling resilience into football.

At UCF, he earned first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors, AAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Peach Bowl MVP during an undefeated 2017 national championship season. In 2018, after a record-breaking NFL Combine 40-yard dash with one hand, the Seattle Seahawks drafted him in the fifth round, reuniting him with Shaquill. Over three seasons, he notched 24 tackles, a sack on MVP Aaron Rodgers, and special teams prowess, later joining the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad in 2021 before retiring in 2022.

Related Speaker List: Football Speakers

Today, Griffin captivates audiences as a motivational speaker, sharing his journey of overcoming prejudice and doubt at Power Four football programs, professional teams, Fortune 500 companies, universities, family office forums, and commencement audiences worldwide.

“I don’t define myself by my successes. I define myself through adversity, and how I persevered,” remarked Shaquem in his 2019 NFL Game Changer Award acceptance speech.

Griffin now serves as an NFL Legends Community Coordinator for the Southeast, while also contributing as a Big 12 Alumni Council Member and advisor at a venture capital firm alongside his twin brother, Shaquill. The twins co-founded Consumer Launch Pad and Y.O.U. Adapt, ventures dedicated to empowering innovation and personal growth. Beyond the field and stage, Griffin is the author of the book “Inseparable” (2019) and the founder of The Locker Room Playbook curriculum, further extending his impact to education and personal development.

Unlock your event’s potential by bringing in Shaquem Griffin as your keynote speaker! Don’t miss the opportunity to inspire your audience—Contact Athlete Speakers today for more information, or fill out our Online Booking Request Form. Let us leverage our 25 years of industry-leading experience to secure the perfect sports talent for your next event!