STEELERS’ SHAZIER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Thirty-three months after suffering a paralyzing spinal cord injury in a game in Cincinnati, Steelers’ linebacker Ryan Shazier yesterday announced his official retirement from the NFL. Shazier said he was grateful for his time in the league. After suffering the injury, he underwent spinal stabilization surgery and has since learned to walk again.

From the start of his ordeal and all through it, Shazier has been praised for his positive attitude, which he attributes to his mother. He held on to his plan to play again for as long as he could, but said now is the time to move on.

Coach Mike Tomlin and linebacker Vince Williams joined Shazier on an emotional video conference yesterday. Tomlin says Shazier has continued to exert his influence on the Steelers, even though he can no longer play.

Yesterday, Tomlin installed his game plan for Monday night’s season opener against the New York Giants. Asked about the one area of the team that has proven most difficult to stabilize during training camp, he said Zach Banner has won the starting right tackle spot over Chuks Okorafor. As for David DeCastro, Tomlin said he had “no clarity” on the injured Pro Bowl guard’s availability for Monday night, but said he is comfortable with the team’s depth at the position if DeCastro can’t play.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he will be nervous when the game kicks off Monday night and he returns from his elbow surgery, but he’s excited to play again, even if it takes a while to get into the flow of the game.