Shazier has Sights Set on Hall of Fame

Ryan Shazier has been on camera in the time since his injury in Cincinnati, but the linebacker hadn't spoken in an interview. That all changed when teammate Roosevelt Nix and Shazier got together for the fullback's new podcast.

You can find the full interview on this tweet from Nix.

After discussing multiple topics the two finally touched on the elephant in the room.

“I got to get back. Right now I’m reading a book and it’s basically saying trust the process, "Shazier told Nix. "I’m really trusting the process. I know the end goal. So I’m taking every step of the way, I’m giving everything I got. The therapists are like, ‘Man this is crazy; I’ve never seen anyone work this hard.’ They almost see progression every day.

Shazier continued

“They say like some progressions they see week to week, they see from me day to day. I’m really trying to come back and still be a Pro Bowler. I’m sorry, because I feel I got snubbed this year for All-Pro even though I got hurt. But I feel like my stats are as good as those who made it.”

The day that Shazier was finally discharged from the hospital he took to Instagram to post some photos that were near and dear to his heart. Ones with his family, his doctors, and his physical therapists. But the first one he picked was of him and Ben Roethlisberger. Standing together.

Then during a Penguins game against the Las Vegas Golden Knights two weeks ago he stood up while being shown on the jumbotron.

“I really wanted to do that because I felt everybody needed to see that,' Shazier said about standing for the Penguins crowd.

“At the end of the day, everybody saw the picture of me and Ben. I stood up. The thing is, in the picture, people were saying Ben supported me, too. He was barely even holding me. I was like I want to stand up so people can really see Ben ain’t just holding me up. This isn’t rigged.”

The conversation turned to Shazier's goals on the field. They haven't changed due to his injury.

“Since I’ve been in college, I really wanted to go to the Hall of Fame. I still want to go to the Hall of Fame. All my goals are like making me want to go to the hall of fame," Shazier said.

“I have a paper that has all the Hall of Fame linebackers [listed]. I’ve got to be one of the best players. I really feel I have the ability.”

If you were wondering about Shazier's work ethic and determination since his injury... You don't have to anymore.