What we know about Ryan Shazier, injured star linebacker for the Steelers

Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier is in a Cincinnati hospital being treated for a spine injury after a vicious hit during Monday night's game against the Bengals. Here are some things you should know about the young defensive star.

• Shazier is from South Florida – his father, Vernon, was the team pastor for the Miami Dolphins. Ryan originally committed to play for the University of Florida before switching to Ohio State University.

• Shazier led the Buckeyes in tackles in his sophomore and junior seasons and was named first-team All-Big Ten and All-American his junior year. He declared for the NFL Draft after that season and was selected 15th overall by the Steelers.

• Shazier has been a starter at inside linebacker beginning with his first professional game. He made his first Pro Bowl last year. This season, he is leading the team in tackles with 68 and fumble recoveries with two.

• Shazier suffers from alopecia, a condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing a person's hair to fall out and, in some cases, never grow back. Shazier has said he was ridiculed for his appearance as a child, but has grown comfortable with it over the years.

• Shazier sports a number of tattoos, which he likes to show off by warming up shirtless before games. The most prominent, spread across his chest, says, "Family first."

• Shazier has a three-year-old son, also named Ryan, and is engaged to Michelle Rodriguez, a special education teacher.

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