NEW YORK — A Mississippi sheriff’s deputy who was shot and paralyzed in the line of duty received a life-changing surprise during a night with the New York Giants.
Covington County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Yates Rodney and his wife, Tori, were honored during a Giants game, where the Tunnel to Towers Foundation presented the couple with the ceremonial key to a mortgage-free smart home.
Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller and his family joined two-time Super Bowl champion and former Giants player Justin Tuck in presenting the key.
The Giants described Rodney as a deputy who was shot and paralyzed in the line of duty but has maintained a positive outlook and publicly shared his recovery journey, inspiring people across the country.
Rodney and Victoria have spent months navigating a life dramatically changed by the June 8 shooting.
The bullet entered through the back of Rodney’s left shoulder and struck his spinal cord near the third and fourth vertebrae in his neck. He also lost part of his left lung during emergency surgery.
On June 19, Rodney was flown from Mississippi to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta for spinal cord rehabilitation. Doctors described his injury as incomplete, leaving open the possibility of recovery, though they told him the chances of walking again were extremely small.
Rodney has refused to let those odds define his recovery.
Through videos posted on social media, he has documented the difficult and, more often than not, painful work of physical therapy, along with milestones including standing on a tilt table, moving his toes on command, regaining some sensation and swimming in a pool.
His recurring phrase throughout the journey has been, “It’s that easy.”
Rodney said the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s support has meant more to him and Victoria than he can put into words.
“With my injury and losing so much function of my body, and me and Tori’s lives being changed forever and turned completely upside down,” Rodney said, “just the generosity and how the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has treated us, it’s just been mind-blowing.”
Rodney said the foundation has treated the couple like family and that the support has motivated him to continue working toward recovery.
“They’ve literally changed our lives,” he said.
Rodney also thanked the Giants, Tuck and everyone who has followed and supported his recovery.
The smart home is designed to accommodate Rodney’s needs as he continues rehabilitation and works toward his goal of eventually returning to work.
Despite being told his chances of walking again are comparable to winning the lottery, Rodney has continued to approach his recovery with determination and faith.
“I’m a lucky guy, so,” he said after receiving the difficult medical prognosis.
The fight continues.
