Packer Mania and Personal History

These are the days when everyone in the state of Wisconsin (with a very few notable exceptions) wear green and gold and considers cheese headgear. "Go Packers!" is how we begin and end conversations during this week leading up to the NFL championship game on Sunday with the Giants.

It's a good time to mention my work on The LeRoy Butler Story: From Wheelchair to Lambeau Leap, co-written by LeRoy and Jim Keller. I was the editor, but LeRoy gives me lots of credit for this inspiring book, something about which I am quite proud.

"In doing my book, Sue Hessel helped me share the lessons of my life--that perseverance, dedication, loyalty, and strong family ties will lead to success," he said.

It's hard to imagine an All-Pro NFL football player once in braces and a wheelchair, but that was LeRoy Butler. He literally broke out of his leg braces (much like Forrest Gump), started running and never stopped until injury ended his career with the Green Bay Packers.


I was certainly honored and inspired to help with this book because of how far he came.


Since then, you may have seen LeRoy in the area working to raise money for breast cancer research. He uses his foundation to help others.