Rise and Walk: The Trial and Triumph of Dennis Byrd

by Dennis Byrd, Michael D'Orso

An account of the New York Jet's struggle to walk again after a spinal back injury describes Byrd's football successes in high school and college, and his heroic battle with painful physical therapy to overcome paralysis. 250,000 first printing. $180,000 ad/promo.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Nonfiction, Football, Memoir, Inspirational, Autobiography

258 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is so amazing that you almost don't believe that it really happened.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my son, Jet, while he was in the NICU. Jet was born at 24 weeks, and had a 10% chance of survival. This book gave me hope that one day Jet would be just fine.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. So inspiring.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

One afternoon, I was looking through the shelves of a thrift store and recognized a name on the spine of a book, Dennis Byrd. I went to school with his daughter and knew a bit about his story, so I was immediately intrigued to read the book. This is an autobiography about Dennis’s journey overcoming unthinkable obstacles while simultaneously testifying of his incredible faith. This book is so well written and includes so many details. Throughout the whole book, I felt like I was having a cup of coffee with Dennis himself, listening to him give his life story. I still have tears in my eyes after reading the last two chapters. I didn’t know him personally, but after reading this autobiography, I wish I did. He seems like he was full of character, down to earth, and a joy to be around.

[Dj Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of dedication and desire to play the game of football and the tragic end to a blooming career. Being a lover of football this book was amazing to read about the effort put forth by Dennis Byrd from a young age growing up in Oklahoma to be the best football player he could be. Going to college and then getting drafted by and playing with the New York Jets. His determination and work ethic allowed him to beat the odds and walk again after having his neck broken in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs when he collided with a teammate while attempting to sack quarterback Dave Krieg. A great book about determination and christian faith.

[Vinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dennis Bryd is an inspiration. His Football career came to a tragic end in 1992 when he was paralyzed during the regular season. He grew up in Oklahoma and played High School ball against the likes of Garth Brooks and Troy Aikman. He lives in Owasso, OK and runs a camp for kids with similar injuries.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stole this book from my brother some years ago (I was a voracious reader and the cover was shiny...) and for some reason grew very attached to it.

Byrd's story and his perserverance are inspiring to read about, though I do not aspire to be a NFL great... :D

[Denise DeRocher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much religion by far, although well-balanced with the realities of being paralyzed. Byrd was one of the lucky ones - his quadriplegic status was only temporary, although he did not know this initially.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book chronicles Dennis's recovery from a devastating spinal injury that left him paralyzed. If you ever thought you've had it bad this book will change your mind. Most encouraging was his unwavering commitment to his faith in Jesus Christ throughout the whole process.

[Cherice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even like football! Why I chose to read this I cannot remember, BUT it was really good! I guess I enjoy stories of triumph and overcoming ones own obstacles.

[Matt Hartzell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story of Dennis Byrd, a football player who broke his neck. It has a lot of insight into what it means to be paralyzed.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't care for the way this was written, but I enjoyed the story.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring reading

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miraculous stroy

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is the autobiography of then-26-years-old Dennis Byrd: his childhood travels and exploring the prairie, love for football (no-pads tackle with his brothers), his walk with his Savior Jesus Christ, and then his chance to give God glory through football. But how could he do that from a hospital bed, healing a vertebra and spinal cord? Byrd found a way, and the way he tells the story, God’s glory is even better through pain and weakness than a lifetime of football greatness.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very emotional uplifting story about the highs and lows of Dennis Byrd. A little too religious for my taste but still a great read. After reading the book I googled Dennis to see how he is doing and tragically found out he died in a car crash. That's a very unfortunate ending, one I didn't want.

[Debby Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious few biographies have inspired me, made me laugh, and made me weep, like this one. From Dennis Byrd's early years, to football glory, to a shattering injury, to his courageous recovery, the book was engaging and hard to put down. His story is a testament to the power of Jesus Christ. Highly recommended for those who need a dose of hope.

[Steph Hohlen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for any sports enthusiast. Tracks the life story of Dennis Byrd - through his youth to his NFL career and then his journey through a broken neck and the end of his playing days. His faith is a strong part of this journey and a theme that weaves through the book.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly moving story, well told, a great witness to faith and friendship

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing and inspirational story of a young man's courage and faith while facing and overcoming a broken neck and quadriplegia.

[Wes Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was great read. Dennis Byrd's faith was tested beyond belief and held in there and continued to give everything to God at his darkest point. Truly inspiring.

[Arthur Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational story of a young man with a bright future suddenly having his world shattered. I worked with his father-in-law and never knew they were related.

[David Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful!

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read Rise & Walk twice (when I was a teenager and then again in 2019), and this book resonated with me way more in 2019 as an adult than it did to my teenager self back in the late 1990s.

You can't help but want to shed a tear or be in a solemn mood when you start reading the chapters that discussed the 1992 to 1993 periods of Dennis Byrd's life. In that two-year period he went from being a budding star as an NFL defensive lineman to temporary paralysis, to quadriplegia, to being able to rise and walk out of his wheelchair.

Rise & Walk was more than just an autobiography on a great man, this book helped to show you that you can't let life defeat you. Byrd could have gave up on life as soon as he entered the hospital after his career-ending injury, but that was NOT how Byrd was made up.

Byrd fought and fought mentally and physically, plus he received some top notch help from hospital physical therapists to eventually get him to where he wanted to be.

You can't come away from this book and not be inspired and be at peace with how Byrd lived his life, despite how short it was (50 years). But God gave Byrd 50 years on this earth to bless his family, friends, teammates, and football fans like myself. Thank you Dennis Byrd and may you rest in heaven.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise and Walk: The Trial and Triumph of Dennis Byrd is the criminally underrated autobiography of former NFL star Dennis Byrd. Byrd expertly portrays his life, not leaving out any detail.

[Wendy Bunnell]

Very inspirational story, and a gripping first-hand account of a life-changing spinal cord injury. I'd read this after Mr. Byrd died (almost two years ago now).
He was a remarkable person, and this was a compelling and inspirational story.