Inspiring.

It’s a word we often hear but rarely truly understand. But get to know Tim Shaw and you’ll quickly know what it means to be inspiring.

As a six-year NFL veteran who spent three full seasons as a linebacker and special teams ace with the Tennessee Titans, Tim inspired his teammates to play with passion and ferocity. He was admired as a football player and as a leader. And in 2016, the Titans signed Tim as a “Titan for Life” because he’s still a leader who exudes what it means to be tough, resilient, and dedicated—to be inspiring.

Tim was diagnosed with ALS in 2014 and knew his football career was over. He knew a lot of things in life would eventually be taken from him in the same way, but as he said in his 2019 “Letter to My Younger Self” for The Players’ Tribune, “No matter how much you hope, wish and pray, you won’t be able to control what’s happening to your body. But you can always control your attitude.” And day in and day out, Tim’s attitude has been his vehicle for making his mark on the world.

Instead of being defined by three letters, Tim has chosen to continue living his life with faith, with courage, and with gratitude for every day he’s been given. He’s written a pair of books since his diagnosis—Blitz Your Life and On Turf As It Is In Heaven—had his high school football stadium named in his honor, and has received multiple awards for his contributions to the world including the ALS Association Hero Award in 2018.

None of these accolades matter as much to Tim as just knowing he’s making a difference, inspiring others to do the same, and creating awareness of ALS in the hopes of one day aiding in the pursuit of a cure.

Tim’s story is one of perseverance in the face of great adversity, and it’s a story he continues to write every day. Though he’s no longer able to do many of the things he once could, Tim embraces each day as a new opportunity to have a positive impact on the world. He continues to inspire in countless ways, from the Tim Shaw Thrive Award Penn State football awards to players who overcome challenges and adversity and inspire those around them to the TShawStrong Golf Invitational, which has raised nearly $200,000 since its inception in 2016.

Learn more about Tim and his story through the words of those who know and love him in “A Titans Story: Tim Shaw, Presented by Permobil” and consider taking part in the TShawStrong Golf Invitational to help Tim in his continued effort to make a difference