🏈On November 17, 1991 Detroit Lions offensive lineman Mike Utley suffered an injury to his 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae in a game against the Rams. Although he would later learn he was largely paralyzed from the chest down, Utley flashed the crowd a "thumbs up" as he was being taken off the field. The thumbs up sign has become the symbol for the Mike Utley Foundation, a foundation created to help seek a cure for paralysis.🏈 #DetroitLions #MikeUtley | Davenport Sports Network

THE MITCH ALBOM SHOW 09/15/25: Former Lion Mike Utley visits the Mitch Albom show. Mike Utley former Detroit Lions offensive lineman whose NFL career ended after a spinal cord injury during a game in 1991. Mike was in town for the “Pride of the Lions” celebration honoring Robert Porcher and caught up with Mitch and the crew talking everything from his foundation and how his life has been since that day back in 1991. https://www.mikeutley.org/ #mitchalbom #WJR #NFL #spinalcordinjury | WJR Radio

🏈On November 17, 1991 Detroit Lions offensive lineman Mike Utley is paralyzed in a game versus the Los Angeles Rams. Early in the 4th quarter of the Lions 21-10 win over the Rams, an injury to his 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae occurred. Although he would later learn he was largely paralyzed from the chest down, Utley flashed the crowd a "thumbs up" as he was being taken off the field. The thumbs up sign has become the symbol for the Mike Utley Foundation, a foundation created in 1991 by Utley

🏈On November 17, 1991 Detroit Lions offensive lineman Mike Utley is paralyzed in a game versus the Los Angeles Rams. Early in the 4th quarter of the Lions 21-10 win over the Rams, an injury to his 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae occurred. Although he would later learn he was largely paralyzed from the chest down, Utley flashed the crowd a "thumbs up" as he was being taken off the field. The thumbs up sign has become the symbol for the Mike Utley Foundation, a foundation created in 1991 by Utley