bushwacked Posted May 14, 2006 Share Posted May 14, 2006 Mike was the grand marshal last May in my hometown parade and their homegrown festival. He resides in my old stomping grounds on the shores of the Columbia River. I would have linked it, but it's a membership site. Kind of a weird deal cause his place is desolate smack dab in Eastern Washignton.....Duff McKagen from GnR lives a couple houses away. Go figure..... Unless you’re keeping a running list of Apple Blossom Grand Parade grand marshals, it might come as a surprise that it’s never been Mike Utley, a local icon who has been an inspiration to many. Utley, a former Detroit Lions offensive lineman who was paralyzed from an injury during a National Football League game in November of 1991, says he’s excited about the opportunity to finally lead the parade. “I’m a kid in a candy store when it comes to these things,” Utley said. “After I got hurt almost 15 years ago, working as hard as I did, I made a choice to live my life to the fullest. This is the right thing for me to do.” Less than two months after his injury, Utley started the Mike Utley Foundation, which helps promote education about spinal cord injuries, particularly in the areas of prevention and finding a cure. In the early- to mid-1990s, Utley held an annual fundraising golf tournament at Desert Canyon Golf Resort. He also started the Dam2Dam Thumbs Up! bike tour in September 2003, an event that has grown each year since. (“Thumbs Up!” refers to Utley’s gesture to fans as he was taken off the field on a stretcher following his injury.) Utley has been a guest on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and appeared on “NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw.” He has performed the coin toss at a Lions’ game, judged ESPN’s annual ESPY (sports) Awards and spoken at numerous events. But for as many events he has been called on to attend, Utley says the luster of those experiences never dulls, especially when it comes to the Apple Blossom Festival, because “that’s what this valley is all about.” He says he’s most looking forward to watching people get excited about watching the parade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowboutthemCowboys Posted May 14, 2006 Share Posted May 14, 2006 Mike was the grand marshal last May in my hometown parade and their homegrown festival. He resides in my old stomping grounds on the shores of the Columbia River. I would have linked it, but it's a membership site. Kind of a weird deal cause his place is desolate smack dab in Eastern Washignton.....Duff McKagen from GnR lives a couple houses away. Go figure..... Unless you’re keeping a running list of Apple Blossom Grand Parade grand marshals, it might come as a surprise that it’s never been Mike Utley, a local icon who has been an inspiration to many. Utley, a former Detroit Lions offensive lineman who was paralyzed from an injury during a National Football League game in November of 1991, says he’s excited about the opportunity to finally lead the parade. “I’m a kid in a candy store when it comes to these things,” Utley said. “After I got hurt almost 15 years ago, working as hard as I did, I made a choice to live my life to the fullest. This is the right thing for me to do.” Less than two months after his injury, Utley started the Mike Utley Foundation, which helps promote education about spinal cord injuries, particularly in the areas of prevention and finding a cure. In the early- to mid-1990s, Utley held an annual fundraising golf tournament at Desert Canyon Golf Resort. He also started the Dam2Dam Thumbs Up! bike tour in September 2003, an event that has grown each year since. (“Thumbs Up!” refers to Utley’s gesture to fans as he was taken off the field on a stretcher following his injury.) Utley has been a guest on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and appeared on “NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw.” He has performed the coin toss at a Lions’ game, judged ESPN’s annual ESPY (sports) Awards and spoken at numerous events. But for as many events he has been called on to attend, Utley says the luster of those experiences never dulls, especially when it comes to the Apple Blossom Festival, because “that’s what this valley is all about.” He says he’s most looking forward to watching people get excited about watching the parade. 1467700[/snapback] 15 years since Utley got hurt!....man I feel old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted May 14, 2006 Share Posted May 14, 2006 To quote his movement: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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