Tyler grew up in a small town and played baseball, basketball, track and his favorite sport football. His Dad coached him in baseball and the whole family went to every game. His parents didn’t have much money but they instilled hard work and education ethic in him. Tyler was a scholar athlete on the honor roll at Saddle Brook High and was being recruited to play college football. He was a week away from sending in his college applications when in the last game of the season he lined up for special teams kick-off return. He was tackled by an opponent and thrown to the ground, breaking his neck at the C-4 through C-6 levels. A prayer vigil for Tyler drew more than 1000 people. He worked harder in rehabilitation than he had ever worked at anything and was able to gain some mobility and the ability to walk short distances but still suffers from myopathy, nerve damage and other issues which compromise his daily life. Tyler has made the Dean’s list at Montclair State and is on his way to a bright future.