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INDIANAPOLIS –** Mike Vrabel has met countless people since taking over as head coach of the Tennessee Titans last month.
One person really stood out: Tim Shaw.
Vrabel, speaking at the NFL Combine on Wednesday, said he met with Shaw recently. He said the former Titans linebacker, diagnosed with ALS following his playing career, will continue to be a part of the team moving forward.
"A big impression," Vrabel said of Shaw. "I'd always watched and saw Tim, and knew of his story, but I'd never met him. I'd never shook his hand. To watch a disease take a strong, healthy, NFL football player and attack his body hits home. I played that game, the same game he played.
"(Tim) loves the Titans, and he loves football. He is welcome in our building any time."
Shaw was diagnosed with the deadly disease ALS, often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, not long after his six-year playing career ended. According to the ALS Association, the progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to death. Patients in the latter stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.
In 2016, the Titans signed Shaw as a "Titan for Life," an idea of Titans general manager Jon Robinson. Shaw was one of the team's captains last season. He's been a regular at Saint Thomas Sports Park, and he's also made road trips with the team. In training camp, he delivered a motivation speech to the team. Former head coach Mike Mularkey invited Shaw to watch film with players.
Vrabel said Shaw's "role will be what Tim is able to handle and what he want to do. A lot of that will be determined by him and how he wants to handle it."
Shaw has said he's "struggling well" as he tries to set a good example for those around him. Shaw freely admits he struggles with the disease, as daily tasks are difficult. His speech is slurred and he now needs assistance with what had always been simple tasks.
Shaw, who played from 2010-12 with the Titans, hasn't let the disease slow him down. Last year he went on an airborne safari in Zambia, in southern Africa. In the past few years he's floated in the Dead Sea, and been to Switzerland, Brazil, Ireland and Haiti. He's played golf at some of the country's most prestigious golf courses, from the Masters course in Augusta, Georgia, to Pebble Beach in California.
"I've been to Israel, Africa, Mexico," Shaw said in a previous interview with Titans Online. "I have played golf at Shinnecock Hills in the Hamptons. I have been everywhere and anywhere."
Vrabel said Shaw's attitude – and connections – amaze him.
"We talked, we visited," Vrabel said of Shaw. "I look forward to watching film with him. We talked about golf. Apparently he has better contacts that I do because he's played at a lot better golf courses. He loves to travel. Here's a guy who is going to do a mission trip in the Caribbean. Here's a guy that is fighting and going in a wheelchair and he is going to go on a mission trip and help other people. It is a great message for me and players."
TitansOnline.com looks back at some current and former Titans players taking part in the NFL Scouting Combine. (AP Photos)
RB Derrick Henry
OT Taylor Lewan
RB Derrick Henry
WR Kenny Britt
LB Zach Brown
DT Jurrell Casey
WR Justin Hunter
OT Jack Conklin
RB Chris Johnson
QB Jake Locker
WR Rishard Matthews
QB Marcus Mariota
LB Derrick Morgan
RB DeMarco Murray
LB Brian Orakpo
S Da'Norris Searcy
WR Tajae Sharpe
TE Craig Stevens
RB Lendale White
LB Kamerion Wimbley
LB Avery Williamson
LB Stephen Tulloch
TE Jared Cook
RB Dexter McCluster
LB Colin McCarthy
CB Coty Sensabaugh
S Daimion Stafford
WR Kendall Wright
WR Tre McBride
DL Daquan Jones
FB Jalston Fowler
C Brian Schwenke
CB LeShaun Sims
G Chance Warmack
LB Kevin Dodd
WR Corey Davis
CB Adoree' Jackson
WR Taywan Taylor
TE Jonnu Smith
LB Jayon Brown
LB Josh Carraway
RB Bishop Sankey
LB Akeem Ayers
G Leroy Harris
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs a drill during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank (DB48) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank is seen at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs a drill during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank (DB48) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry (DL39) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry performs in a drill seen at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry is seen at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry performs in a drill seen at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry is seen at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Boston College defensive lineman Harold Landry runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans runs a drill during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans runs a drill during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans runs a drill during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
