Mike Yorkey: Voicing Eric LeGrand’s Story

After a lengthy flight from California to Newark, Mike Yorkey makes his way into an apartment bedroom to introduce himself to Eric LeGrand. As he walks over to where Eric sits in his wheelchair, Mike extends a hand of greeting and realizes the only gesture Eric can offer in return is a smile.

“I just lay my hand on top of his hand,” Mike remembers, and it is in that moment of connection a silent vow is made. Mike has come to help Eric write his story, and he will gently guide him through some of the darkest places he’ll be forced to revisit.

It is the story of Eric’s paralysis, and instantaneous shift in his life’s trajectory, that brought Mike across the country to spend four days visiting the LeGrand home. Mike went to Newark in April 2012 to capture in person the journey the LeGrand family has traveled since a traumatic football hit paralyzed Eric from the neck down on October 16, 2010. Together Eric and Mike will write Eric’s book Believe: My Faith and the Tackle that Changed My Life.

During a game against Army, Eric, a standout-defensive tackle for Rutgers, was injured in a tackle during a kick-off return.

“I made him recreate the big hit,” Mike explains. “He was very good at telling details.”

Interested in a minute-by-minute account of the tackle, Mike pushed, “What are you seeing? What are you hearing?”

Despite gaps in Eric’s memory of the first few days following the collision, he had a surprisingly detailed recollection of the hit itself.

As the two men traveled back in Eric’s memory to the moment his life was permanently altered, a recorder captured it all.

“Eric was eager to share details…excited to tell his story,” Mike says. As if Eric were waiting for a time and place to lay out the full version, he told Mike, “I just told you things I haven’t told anyone.”

Mike paid attention to all of it. “My challenge is to get people to tell stories,” he explains. “Eric did a great job, but my greatest ally was his mother (Karen LeGrand). She’s a treasure trove.”

Investigating the three-dimensional version of Eric’s story included conducting in-depth interviews with people who could fill in the gaps, such as Eric’s mom and aunt, who were part of the unfolding tragic story. Mike recorded their personal accounts and formulated in his mind the best way to tell the whole story.

As a behind-the-scenes writer, Mike looks and listens for impactful stories people have to tell. Part therapist, part transcriber, Mike offers a voice for those who live the stories but need help writing about them. There have been many, many stories to share.

Mike has been a part of the writing or editing of more than 75 books. In addition to writing about health and wellness, money management, marriage strengthening, and God-inspired living, he has also penned stories about some of society’s most influential people. He has authored or co-authored books about a number athletes, including Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Kevin Durant, Kyle Korver, Jeremy Lin, Roscoe Tanner, Michael Chang, and Dave Dravecky. He also helped write a book with singer songwriters Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.

Mike seeks out personal stories so he can create a book interesting enough for readers to continue to turn the page. “I can hang research on a story, but I need the personal story to make it work,” he says.

So, when Mike sits down with men like Eric LeGrand, he listens to the stories, pushes for the details, and applauds those things they are willing to share.

“I love to help people share their life’s story,” Mike says, “I get to impact other people through these influencers. Eric has a heartwarming, inspirational story to tell and I appreciate the fact he let me tell it.”

Feature photo: Mike Yorkey with Eric LeGrand and Eric’s mom Karen LeGrand
Inset photo: Eric LeGrand with Aunt Cheryl, Uncle Ariel, mom Karen, and sister Nicole
Both photos courtesy of Mike Yorkey.