LOOK: Ryan Shazier was able to celebrate Steelers' wild win with teammates
Ryan Shazier didn't get to attend the Steelers' 39-38 win over the Ravens on Sunday, but he did get to celebrate with the team.
After the game, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin revealed that Shazier was able to take part in the team's postgame celebration thanks to the magic of FaceTime.
"A very emotional group in there. AFC North champs. We had Ryan Shazier on Facetime," Tomlin said, via NFL.com. "He had an opportunity to share that moment with the team. That's a special thing."
The Steelers were in full celebration mode after clinching the AFC North and Shazier was a big part of that celebration. Shazier's fiancee, Michelle, shared a video of the FaceTime session that took place after Pittsburgh's win.
Ryan Shazier celebrated the AFC North championship with his teammates from the hospital. (via mrs.shazier50 / Instagram) pic.twitter.com/pzfd4FE35u — FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 11, 2017
Shazier watched the game from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he has been since being transferred there on Wednesday. The injured linebacker was so thrilled to see his team pull out a last-second win over the Ravens that he ended up making a video himself and sharing it publicly on Instagram.
"We got a 'W' today," Shazier said. "It got scary, but hey, we know how to pull it out, baby. Here we go Steelers."
Ryan Shazier and his family celebrate the Steelers win 🙏
(via shazier/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/yuq0lH5lV3 — Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) December 11, 2017
Following the win, the Steelers made it clear that they had been playing for Shazier, who's been hospitalized since Monday, when he was injured against the Bengals. The game against the Ravens was the Steelers first one since Shazier suffered his injury.
"We love our brother, and we wanted to get this win for him, and I'm glad we did," Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said after the game, via ESPN.com.
The Steelers made sure everyone was thinking of Shazier throughout the night. In pregame, linebacker James Harrison warmed up without a shirt as a nod to his injured teammate, who's well known for going shirtless on the field.
Several Steelers players also wore cleats that were specially designed with Shazier's name and likeness.
After the game, Roethlisberger was carrying Shazier's No. 50 jersey as he walked off the field.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger leaves the field with Ryan Shazier’s jersey on his shoulder after a 39-38 victory over the Ravens tonight at Heinz Field. #nfl pic.twitter.com/y3Zp8vbxKC — Christopher Horner (@Hornerfoto1) December 11, 2017
Shazier's jersey eventually made it to the team's postgame locker room, where several players made sure to take a picture with it.
AFC North Champs A post shared by James Harrison (@jhharrison92) on Dec 10, 2017 at 9:09pm PST
Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward said that Shazier will definitely be getting a game ball from the win.
"You give that guy the game ball because we know his heart is in it," Heyward said, via ESPN.com. "And he deserves it."
Shazier spent spent two nights in Cincinnati after suffering his injury, but has been in Pittsburgh since then. The Steelers linebacker underwent spinal stabilization surgery on Wednesday and team officials are now hopeful he can make a full recovery, CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reported on Sunday.
After several days of uncertainty, Shazier now seems to be in good spirits, which is great news.