Seahawks linebacker Griffin co-grand marshal for Special Olympics

SEATTLE — Seahawks rookie linebacker Shaquem Griffin will be a co-Grand Marshal leading the Parade of Athletes for the 50th annual Special Olympics USA Games Sunday at Husky Stadium.

For 50 years, the Games have showcased the abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities, promoted the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport, and celebrated the transformative power of the Special Olympics. More than 4,000 Special Olympics athletes and coaches from across the nation, along with tens of thousands of family members, volunteers and spectators, will gather across Greater Seattle for a week of events and competitions in 14 team and individual sports.

The inspiring rookie linebacker, who had his left hand amputated when he was 4 years old as a result of amniotic band syndrome, a congenital disorder that kept his hand from proper development, will help lead the athletes into the stadium for 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics movement.

“We’re really excited to add these talented performers to an already impressive lineup,” said Jayme Powers, Executive Producer and COO for the Special Olympics USA Games. “The Opening Ceremony will provide a powerful way to kick off the USA Games by creating a once-in-a-lifetime entertainment experience for all of our athletes, volunteers and spectators.”

In what was one of the draft’s biggest stories, Griffin, the AAC Defensive Player of the Year at UCF last season, was reunited at the professional level with his twin brother, Shaquill, who was drafted by Seattle a year earlier. He was selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Shaquem and his inspiring story will now be part of an impressive Opening Ceremony lineup at this year’s Special Olympics USA Games, which will take place July 1-7 across the Seattle area.

The remainder of the all-star cast expected to help kick off 50 years of competition will include special guest Tim Corrigan, a 75-year-old Special Olympics athlete who competed in the very first Special Olympics games back in 1968.

Along with Griffin the event will include actor, singer and author Taye Diggs who will serve as master of ceremonies; Seattle native and Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Ann Wilson of Heart; Maddie Poppe, the 17-year-old winner of the most recent “American Idol” competition; Kyla Jade, a finalist in the most-recent season of “The Voice,” and a prominent gospel and rhythm and blues singer who provides background vocals for Jennifer Hudson and The Groovaloos, an award-winning hip-hop and street dance troupe that has performed on “So You Think You Can Dance,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”

The Opening Ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC starting at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, including how to purchase tickets visit SpecialOlympicsUSAGames.org.

— Staff and wire report