HOUSTON — There have been elite defenses throughout NFL history known simply by their nicknames.
The 1985 Chicago Bears were the “Monsters of the Midway,” the 1972-79 Pittsburgh Steelers had the “Steel Curtain,” and the 1987-92 New Orleans Saints had a “Dome Patrol” inside the Superdome.
Then there was the Seattle Seahawks, whose menacing defense dominated opponents throughout the mid-2010s on their way to five NFC West titles and two Super Bowl appearances. Safety Kam Chancellor tagged them with the “Legion of Boom,” and it stuck.
Houston Texans cornerback Shaquill Griffin was not around when those legendary defenses from the ’70s through the ’90s were punishing offensive players. Still, he was able to witness what Seattle did throughout their run. The Seahawks’ 2017 third-round pick benefitted by playing and learning from the core of that defensive unit.
“I’m here now to earn my name, earn this voice, to be able to be that voice for this team,” said Texans DB Shaquill Griffin. “I have to earn it first.” #Texans #Sarge @TheTexansWire pic.twitter.com/LnEY0L8y2q
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) June 15, 2023
“I got a chance to play with some guys that kind of helped shape my game a lot,” Griffin said during his media availability on Wednesday after mandatory minicamp. “You know, you’re talking about the Richard Sherman’s, the Earl Thomas’, the Kam Chancellor’s, the guys who actually took the time to take me under their wing and teach me some things that I use now today.”
Griffin signed a one-year contract with the Texans in May after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars in March.
Outside of being a valuable asset for the defensive unit on the field, one of his main objectives is to help guide the younger defensive backs and give them the same advice and knowledge he was given in Seattle.
“If you have knowledge, give it,” Griffin said. “I’m not the type of person to hold all that stuff to myself. It started off day one, and whatever I know, I’m going to continue to preach it.”
Yet, the former 2019 Pro Bowl player also knows that he has to earn the players’ respect in the locker room before anyone begins to listen to him, but that is something he is used to, and he has always let his actions speak louder than his words.
“I feel like right now, my main thing is, I don’t want to come in and feel like I need to step on anybody’s toes because I want to earn my voice,” said Griffin. “I know what type of caliber of player I am, and I know what I’ve been through. I know how last year was, and I feel like I’m here now to earn my name, earn this voice, to be able to be that voice for this team, for these guys, I have to earn it first, and that’s the part where I’m at right now.”
