Aaron Shampklin’s Incredible Journey from Substitute Teacher to Steelers RB
PITTSBURGH — From Harvard to being a substitute teacher in his hometown of Long Beach, Calif. Steelers running back Aaron Shampklin has had an incredible journey to Pittsburgh.
Shampklin signed with the Dallas Cowboys after going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he was waived prior to the season. He then had a short stint with the Indianapolis Colts before signing with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL in May of 2023. In three games with the Gamblers, Shampklin ran for 52 yards on 12 attempts. He was released on August 1. Shampklin signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on August 15, 2023, but was waived a few weeks later.
With Shampklin out of football for the entire 2023 season, he went back to his hometown and taught math at Perry Lindsey Academy.
“I worked in the front office,” Shampklin said. “If a teacher didn’t show up, they would put me in the classroom. Then they realized that I was really good at math, so they eventually made me a sixth grade math teacher.
“I really connected with the kids, too. It felt good to give back to the community in a different kind of way. It’s my hometown. They all knew I went to Harvard, so I was a walking example that they could do it, too.”
Aaron Shampklin appeared in his first NFL game on Sunday, recording one carry for five yards in the Steelers’ 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. On Tuesday, the Steelers promoted Shampklin from the practice squad to the active roster. With Jaylen Warren (knee) and Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) dealing with injuries, he could be the Steelers’ No. 2 running back behind Najee Harris on Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys.
Shampklin is living his dream.
“I always believed it would happen,” Shampklin said. “I didn’t know when or how long it would take. I always had the thought that if it wasn’t here, I’m going to play somewhere, find a way to play for somebody’s team. I don’t know what kept me going, but I woke up every day, going to training and kept the faith.
“One of my dreams was always to be in Madden, so hopefully that day is coming soon, too,” Shampklin added while laughing.
Shampklin had doubts at times about his football career, but he kept on pushing. Knowing that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
“There were a lot of sleepless nights,” Shampklin said. “Staying up until 2 in the morning and having to get up for a lift at 6 so I could have that football and school life balance, that definitely helped to prepare me for this moment now.
“Sometimes the field goal post felt like it kept getting moved, but every time I felt like I should do something else, God kept putting me back. Football is still there. You just have to be patient. God works in mysterious ways.”
If Shampklin’s football career doesn’t pan out, he knows he has a Harvard degree to fall back on. But that’s not his focus now.
“Committing to Harvard was basically my parents making me see there was more to life than football,” he said. “That wasn’t a deterrent for me. I knew the NFL would still be an option. I knew it would be a harder road to get here, which it has been, but I don’t take anything for granted. I still have the Harvard degree, and I’m still able to play.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
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