Years ago, after football practice with the Denver Broncos, I got a call from my former college coach, Urban Meyer. He told me about a college football player who had been dramatically injured on the field, who was given a slim 3 percent chance of ever regaining movement below his neck. But Coach Meyer also told me this guy wasn’t going to let this prognosis stop him. And that’s how I met one of the most inspiring guys I know—Chris Norton.
As I learned later, Chris was spending part of his hospital stay with the TV on, watching my training as I prepared for the NFL draft. He said it was my hard work and dedication that inspired him to hold on to hope when he needed it most. But I’ll tell you what, when I got on the phone with him, it was he who inspired me.
Here was this eighteen-year-old college football star who was being told he would never walk again. Yet Chris didn’t let this steal his hope. What’s more, he matched this relentless hope with action, pushing himself hard every single day to meet his goals.
That day after football practice, I only talked with Chris for fifteen minutes. In my very first yet short impression of Chris, I was blown away by his determination to stay positive, to do the work, and to trust that God had a bigger story in mind.
We kept in touch during Chris’s recovery, and sure enough, his story continued to unfold in incredible ways. When he met his wife, Emily, when they walked across that graduation stage together, when their video went viral, I was so happy for them. When Chris launched his charity foundation, I sent them an auction item to help out. Years later I got to meet their amazing family in person—Chris, Emily, and their five beautiful girls, who could not have better examples of parents who live out faith and determination every day.
I’m excited for you to be holding this book in your hands because you are about to begin a master class in the power of perseverance. Chris and Emily have fought so many battles together, and through it all, they’ve demonstrated an incredible reserve of resolve. They know that viral videos and highlight reel moments never show the half of it. The real story is built in the behind-the-scenes work of stretching yourself, doing the next right thing, refusing to give up, and trusting God. They know the power of putting one foot in front of the other, both literally and figuratively. And this book is meant to inspire you to do the same.
TIM TEBOW