Chris Norton on Courage in Sports

Luther College's Chris Norton was named the winner of the 2011 America's Choice Honor for Courage in Sports, as announced on CBS' "The Early Show" Saturday morning. This video was part of "Courage in Sports," a one-hour CBS special that recognizes individuals who have overcome monumental challenges to achieve greatness in the world of sports.

The America's Choice Honor for Courage in Sports winner was determined through an eight-week Facebook voting competition (https://www.facebook.com/CourageInSports) that tallied nearly one million total votes.

On Oct. 16, 2010, Norton was making a routine tackle against Central College when he suffered a life-altering injury, sustaining a fractured neck and compressed spinal cord. After undergoing immediate surgery, he was given a three percent chance of regaining movement below the neck.

Norton's courage, resilience and optimism have helped defy those odds. After more than one year of extensive rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., he is now able to feel movement throughout his entire body and recently stood unaided for three minutes (video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kumwlUyLViA). Norton is back on campus taking classes and continuing intense rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic and with therapists in Decorah, Iowa.

For more, visit www.facebook.com/CourageInSports.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• chris
• norton
• courage
• in
• sports
• cbs
• luther
• college
• football
• injury
• paralyzed
• eric
• legrand
• rutgers
• mayo
• clinic

[rdh0924]

@luvrhino Are you joking? Chris played Division III college ball. No money, no scholarship, just for the love of the game. His family has always been extremely supportive of him, and supports him in whatever makes him happy. The only thing they ever pushed on him was faith in Christ, and that my friend, is why he is where he is today: standing up. Don't comment on videos that you don't have a clue about. It just ends up hurting someone more than you could ever imagine. God bless you.

[luvrhino]

Shame on his parents...when will people realize....Football? really? Is it worth it? Sure, it's a great story and parts are inspiring but was it necessary?

[sephuink09]

I disagree with the comment below, I dont know Chris personally but I know enough people who do, I think that the way he narrates it is moving.. It just shows the determination he had to get through it, I don't think anybody would watch his video and say "wow that kids cocky." Maybe its just a little bit of swag ;)

[jenniferrut]

love chris but this video makes him seem like he's a cocky guy with an attitude. He is NOT like that at all..He's humble and great guy who has continually talked about his FAITH, family and friends, who have helped him get through the biggest fight of his life. too bad this couldn't have shown THAT side of chris.

[pinkrose3ful]

I want to click LOVE this! Very inspiring, thank you Chris!

[37SNLove]

Go Chris!

[yeshuawing]

Norton is an encouragement to us all! His resilliance and determination to defy all man made odds should encourage all of us to go for our dreams without hesitation. We have no excuse not to!