Billy Taylor’s Remarkable Story

Do you like bad news? Of course not. But that’s what we’re served on a daily basis by much of the media. So I’m always on the lookout (Send me links!) for good news; stories where people overcome the odds, or perform some almost miraculous feat, or where God helps an individual become better than they were before. This story includes all three.

Billy Taylor’s story is a riches to rags and back to riches story. Taylor was a superstar running back at the University of Michigan. But in 1972, after leading his team to three incredible seasons, his world came crashing down around him. I’ll let you read the article for details, but it was truly a nightmare. He spiraled downward until he became nothing more than an alcoholic, homeless person… for 25 years.

In 1997, he heard the voice of God. It changed him so profoundly that he hasn’t touched alcohol since. Today he’s touching the lives of kids who are facing the same kind of problems he faced. He’s also written a book called Get Back Up. It’s a powerful story of a man far from perfect, who’s shown what can be done in the face of tragedy.

“The man who gives up accomplishes nothing and is only a hindrance. The man who does not give up can move mountains.” -Ernest Hello