38: The Chucky Mullins Effect

by Jody Hill

Imagine that you're lying down, completely immobile-you can't move a muscle. The only part of your body that you can control is your face. Consider, if you're able, that you are forever frozen in this position. Now, with your body paralyzed, there's only one thing left to do-smile. Smile? If you're wondering how anyone could smile in that situation, let me introduce you to Chucky Mullins.

206 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2014

Reviews

[Reeca Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many things I want to say about this book.

I had the honor of reading rough drafts of this book throughout the writing process. Every time I have read this, I discovered something new and inspirational. EVERY TIME!!

I was in the stands that tragic day. I remember HEARING the hit. It is a sound I will never forget. From that day until his untimely death, Chucky went on to inspire and to earn the admiration of so many people.

Chucky's attitude and courage shaped so many lives. Jody Hill takes the reader through these wonderful, inspirational stories of this Chucky Mullins effect. And what an effect it is! It is fascinating how one person's tragedy becomes another person's fortitude

Through Mr. Hill's book, the "Chucky effect" will continue. You too will experience what so many others have found: Chucky Mullins' amazing courage in the face of adversity.

[Kev Willoughby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chucky Mullins was a 5-star person with a 5-star message. The writing was not on par. The chapters were very disjointed and in no type of chronological order, which was distracting. Also very distracting were the one-word chapter titles that were repeatedly and unnecessarily italicized each time they were found within the text. It's as if the book were written by first developing a list of 38 words to describe Mullins and then forcing a 3-5 page "chapter" around that particular word.

I was hoping to learn more about Chucky Mullins, but this book is instead about people who knew Mullins and their own personal experiences after the death of Mullins. Although it is obvious and certainly inspirational that Mullins had a positive impact on everyone in the book, I'd still like to read a true biography of the entire life of Mullins himself, not just about his accident or a collection of stories about the lives of a few who knew him.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Ole Miss alumni, I have always known about Chucky Mullins and his inspiring spirit. This book showed me a even greater range to Chucky Mullins story! I cried after almost every chapter. The memories shared in this book are enough to inspire the most cold and small hearted 'Grinch.' I wish everyone from Mississippi could read this book. With all the negativity surrounding our school and it's behaviors, this book makes you see there is a way to be above it all and lead in a smiling and forgiving manner. Hotty Toddy!

[Dan Simonsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiration story. Jody Hill does an excellent job of weaving different stories of the Chucky Mullins Effect into a well written book.

[J.D. Cetola · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a worthy book abourt an inspirational human being and his impact on those who knew him and those who know his story (or even just heard about it or watched the video of his injury on the football field in 1989).
The title of this book is appropriate. This isn't a book about the life of Chucky Mullins--something that would be worth reading in its own right--it's a book about how his life and how he handled hardship and that impact on others. Author and Minister Jody Hill was a teammate of Mullins' and he provides many examples of the lasting impact of this amazing human being.
The book does so over 38 short chapters that don't follow a chronological or logical timeline. I found it best to read a chapter or two at a time and that worked well for me as it gave me time to think about what I read. I found both a Stoic and religious aspect to Chucky's ability to deal with the incredible blows life handed him. Jody Hill has done a fine job paying tribute to his teammate and friend.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of all time, and I think that everyone should read it! It made me smile and realize that I am so lucky to be able to get out of bed every morning on my own. Chucky Mullins, an Ole Miss Rebel in the 80s, made an impact on so many people without lifting a finger. He is a symbol of courage, positivity, and inspiration to the Ole Miss campus, the state of Mississippi, the game of football, and so much more. His inspiring and positive outlook on life was remarkable and a lesson that everyone should learn; he found peace in his new life and wanted to move forward instead of dwelling while he had the chance. Personally, I think that this book would be a great tool in the classroom for junior high, high school, and even college students to have, especially males. An educator could use this book in a classroom setting to teach students about loyalty, positivity, selflessness, and so many more traits everyone should aspire to have.

[Jonathan Wilkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This overall is a good book. It is good for a bedside reading but hard to read straight through because it is a bunch of smaller stories instead of one main story. Learned about someone i really didn’t know that much about.