Ryan Shazier continues to receive an outpouring of support from teammates and fans as he remains hospitalized after suffering a severe back injury less than a week ago.
The former Buckeye and current Pittsburgh Steeler was honored with custom cleats and shirts before and during the Steelers' Sunday night game against Baltimore. Former Ohio State defensive end and current Steeler Cameron Heyward ran out of the Pittsburgh tunnel carrying Shazier's jersey onto the field before kickoff.
Steelers Cam Heyward enters the field with Ryan Shaziers jersey before taking on the Ravens Sunday. pic.twitter.com/O5jO3oIx2T
— Matt Freed (@mattfreedpghpg) December 11, 2017
On the opening kickoff, Steeler fullback Roosevelt Nix made a thunderous hit on the return man and proceeded to point to his undershirt, which featured Shazier's No. 50 on it. A number of Steeler players and coaches were seen wearing the same shirt in pregame warmups and on the sideline during the game as well.
After the first play of the game, Roosevelt Nix (@Dat_Dude_Nix) showed off the #SHALIEVE shirt under his jersey.
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 11, 2017
#PrayFor50 pic.twitter.com/BZNbBNTz3C
Longtime NFL veteran James Harrison, who has been inactive for most of the season, warmed up without a shirt to honor Shazier's pregame tradition.
James Harrison (@jharrison9292) honors @RyanShazier by coming out shirtless tonight. #SHALIEVE #prayfor50 pic.twitter.com/UlAfcadSrg
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) December 10, 2017
Harrison also led a pregame huddle with members of the Steeler defense in which they chanted "5-OH."
5
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 11, 2017
0#WeRide pic.twitter.com/6nGRcNcyU9
As of Sunday morning, Shazier was reported to be making "gradual improvement" following spinal surgery on Wednesday. The injury initially occurred in the first quarter of the Steelers' Monday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals last week.
