Former Detroit Lions player and spinal cord injury advocate Mike Utley returned to Michigan this week, visiting Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to see firsthand how the Mike Utley Foundation’s support is helping athletes of all ages pursue health, confidence and connection through adaptive sports.
During his visit on September 29, 2026, Utley toured Mary Free Bed, met with athletes in the Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Program and learned more about the impact of the foundation’s investment in adaptive equipment throughout the past five years.
Since 2021, the Mike Utley Foundation has contributed more than $50,000 to the Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports program, funding specialized equipment to expand access to wheelchair rugby, basketball, adaptive cycling, track and field and other sports.
For Utley, the partnership reflects the values that have guided him since his own spinal cord injury more than three decades ago.
“The number one advice I give people who are just newly injured, whether it’s a spinal cord injury or as an athlete, is get up, make a difference,” Utley said. “Get out of your comfort zone. You will never grow in your comfort zone.”
Utley was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1989 and became the team’s starting right guard during his rookie season. His career was cut short after he sustained a spinal cord injury during a game in 1991. He later established the Mike Utley Foundation to support spinal cord injury research, rehabilitation and education, encouraging individuals to pursue independence and reach their fullest potential.
“The sensation of what my dad taught me as a young man, ‘make your name mean something,’ is showing through all the hard work and sacrifice,” Utley said. “Everybody that has ever participated in the foundation or supported Mike Utley, this is the recap of being able to say thank you.”
Throughout the past five years, the foundation’s support has funded 14 pieces of specialized equipment at Mary Free Bed, removing barriers that might otherwise prevent athletes from participating. Those investments include sport wheelchairs designed for larger athletes, handcycles for children, wheelchair rugby equipment and new adaptive track and field chairs that will help launch Mary Free Bed’s first Adaptive Track and Field Program. Each grant has addressed a specific need, making it possible for more individuals with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities to explore recreation, competition and community.
“Our partnership with the Utley’s is about much more than equipment,” said Laura Dulay, director of philanthropy, programs and partnerships at Mary Free Bed. “It’s about creating opportunities for people to discover what they’re capable of, build meaningful relationships and experience the freedom that comes from movement, competition and belonging.”
Seeing the impact of those investments firsthand was especially meaningful for Utley, who spent the weekend reconnecting with former teammates and Lions fans during the Lions Alumni game festivities.
“As an athlete with the fellas, it’s almost like you didn’t miss a beat, even though it’s been 35 years since I was a player,” Utley said. “Coming back and seeing the fans and hearing, ‘Hey Utley!’ shows that I’ve done the right thing from the very beginning: to get out of my comfort zone and make a difference. Hopefully it’s made a difference in somebody else’s life here in Michigan and across the country, because small things do matter.”
The Mike Utley Foundation and Mary Free Bed share a commitment to helping individuals with spinal cord injuries live active, fulfilling lives. Together, they’re creating opportunities for athletes to grow stronger, build confidence, develop independence and pursue meaningful goals, both on and off the field. By investing in adaptive sports, the partnership continues to advance Mary Free Bed’s mission of restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation, one athlete at a time.
About the Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Program
The Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Program is one of the largest adaptive sports programs in the country. In the last year, Mary Free Bed provided enriching recreational activities for more than 1,700 participants. Athletes of all ages and abilities participated in more than 50 different classes, clinics and teams, including handcycling, wheelchair lacrosse, wheelchair softball and wheelchair tennis. To learn more about athletic opportunities and upcoming clinics, visit maryfreebed.com/sports.
