Walking Miracle: How Faith, Positive Thinking, and Passion for Football Brought Me Back from Paralysis...and Helped Me Find Purpose

by Adam Lazarre-White (Narrator), Ryan Shazier (Introduction), Larry Platt (Contributor)

All American at Ohio State and All Pro linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ryan Shazier has learned to live his best life, and come to terms with the game he loves and has given him so much. And as Ryan has also success is no longer measured by tackles or sacks; it is measured by purpose and strength. Walking Miracle is the story of this new definition of success. The narrative follows the arc from December 4, 2017 when Shazier was injured playing the Cincinnati Bengals, to his retirement. For three years, Shazier doggedly pursued a return to professional football. He took small wins as first downs on the drive to return to the field, moving his toes, walking, dancing at his wedding, and ultimately running and returning to the team. What Shazier didn’t realize is that along the way, he was preparing himself for another purpose—that of father and husband, philanthropist, and football analyst. The journey was preparing him not for a renewed life as a middle linebacker, but a renewed life after the game. Here we see Shazier overcome childhood alopecia, which caused a great deal of emotional pain, and scoliosis, which nearly robbed him of his dreams of playing college and professional football. We gain insights into legendary coaches Urban Meyer and Mike Tomlin. And we see him star on the field; Shazier was one of the best defensive players in Steeler history—a history full of great defensive stars. Walking Miracle —the message on a bracelet given to him by his Godmother—is the story of Ryan’s comeback, but it’s also a book of life’s lessons, challenges, and so much more.

Audio CD

Published November 30, 2021

Reviews

[Alex Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking Miracle: How Faith, Positive Thinking, and Passion for Football Brought Me Back from Paralysis...and Helped Me Find Purpose by Ryan Shazier is an autobiography written about Ryan Shazier’s gruesome spinal injury, his unimaginable struggle through his surgery, and his recovery from it. Even though Shazier was a pro-football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, this autobiography brings to light the amount of support he with overcoming a lifetime of challenges. These challenges all started back in kindergarten when he was diagnosed with Alopecia. His incredibly supportive parents, Vernon and Shawn Shazier, not only guided him through cruel social interactions but then had to help him navigate a devastating diagnosis of Scoliosis. This was mentally and physically crushing because, from the start, he was an incredible football player, and all of a sudden, he was told it would all be taken away. Miraculously, he beat the odds and continued his football career. When devastation hit him again during a fateful night in Cincinnati, this time his wife Michelle, his previous coach Urban Meyer, and his current coach, Mike Tomlin were all key motivators that helped him build back up one first down at a time to keep driving down the field of recovery. Throughout the recovery process, every little movement in his recovery was a first down in his mind.

This story takes place mostly in Pittsburgh, where Shazier got his surgery and read the book, The Obstacle is the Way, by Ryan Holiday, in order to get his mentality right to recover effectively. As someone who has been injured, the part when Shazier was in the hospital, and the doctors told him he had a very low chance of ever walking again, I can relate to how impactful words are in desperate times. From that moment on, Shazier decided that he was determined to beat the odds and walk again. Overall, I am a big fan of this book because reading about professional sports injuries is motivating, relatable, and inspirational. When players overcome their injuries, it’s inspiring because, in the end, they come out better and stronger mentally and physically. It’s life-changing. Even though this story is about how Shazier grew as a person, it also grows you as a reader, keeping you intrigued from the front cover to the back cover. If you are looking to be inspired, take yourself through Shazier’s journey and be changed for life.