Michigan native Tim Shaw has lived a pretty amazing life.
He was an impact football player at Livonia Clarenceville High School, helping lead the Trojans to the state championship game in 2001. He earned an athletic scholarship to keep playing football in college at Penn State. Not only did he become a starter on the fearsome Nittany Lions linebacker corps, he was also an Academic All-American.
Then Shaw’s dream took a leap that only a small percentage of boys who ever buckle up a chin strap in Pop Warner get to realize: he was drafted into the National Football League.
Shaw played in 80 games over six seasons in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, and Tennessee Titans.
However, not everything has gone Shaw’s way. In the summer of 2014, while the Ice Bucket Challenge was sweeping the nation, Shaw made his own online video. Right before dumping that freezing water over his head, Shaw made a stunning announcement. Watch it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9Iy0y6Z0nc
That’s right. Shaw had been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, the very ailment the Challenge was fighting to cure.
Shaw is determined to beat this disabling disease and has become a tireless advocate for an ALS remedy. His alma mater is honoring him this weekend for his accomplishments and his dedication.
Shaw will be back home for a ceremony Saturday night at halftime of Clarenceville High’s football season opener against Lutheran North. The very place where Shaw started his football career will be renamed in his honor.
Shaw Stadium.
An amazing honor for an amazing man.
For more information on how you can help find a cure for ALS, check out the ALS Association’s website, and follow Tim Shaw on Twitter.
#TimShawStrong
