Woody Thornton believes in Auburn. He loves it. He’s never lived anywhere else. He’s never wanted to live anywhere else. He’s practically half tiger.
Here’s how that happened:
It was Aug. 4, 1989. He was one month away from 21.
Typically it was beer, but that night, for whatever reason, it was drinking games with Jack and Coke. The whole day had been weird like that, in a bad way–bad enough for him to have called it a bad day even if he hadn’t been run over by a train.
He wasn’t taking classes at Auburn that summer so he’d been working all day at Little Henry’s apartments–the family owned the place, they still do–and it was hot and he was tired and cranky and didn’t really even feel like going to the party. But whatever, it was Friday. It was a house on Debardeleben, about a mile from where he lived, at this little house behind Glenwood Apartments off East Glenn.
He was drunk when he left. Not drunk enough to think he could drive, but drunk enough to not be able to walk very well, which no one noticed because he slipped out without telling his friends he was leaving. He found the tracks and headed home. It was around midnight.
He got within a hundred yards of the house. It happened somewhere between College and Donahue. He doesn’t remember hearing the whistle. He doesn’t even remember getting hit. He remembers being under it a little bit and talking to the paramedics.
Um… you kind of don’t have your feet anymore.
“Best I can tell, when I left the party, I was still functioning pretty well,” Woody says. “I walked about a mile and probably tripped on one of the ties and fell down. I probably just sat there trying to collect myself. They said I sat up at the last second.”
It was just a normal cargo-carrying CSX train, coming from the west, heading toward Opelika, but only at 10 or so miles an hour because of some likely life-saving malfunction they were having that night. He wound up under the second engine. His jaw was broken, and his arm and collarbone. And they were right. His feet were gone.
The CSX people checked on him in the hospital. They reminded him that it was technically private property. They didn’t press charges.
It was exactly 21 years ago.
“I remember thinking in the hospital that I would have to use a wheelchair,” he says. “When my mom told me the doctor said I would be able to use prosthesis to walk with, that was all it took, because that was better than what I was thinking.”
Life came back slowly. One of the first outings was fan day before the 1989 season. His parents took him and brought a camera. He was in a wheelchair and got his picture made with Stan White and Wyn Lyle (so did I – I was 10.) He and Wyn wrestled together at Auburn High.
He went to every home game that year. The ’89 Iron Bowl is still his favorite. He started back to school in spring quarter. He graduated in ’93. He got married. He got his first set of legs. He got right with the Lord. He worked down from crutches to two canes to one cane to now, at 41, nothing.
Several years and surgeries later, Thornton started CAST (Christian Amputee Support Team) Ministries, to help others amputees cope with life, physically and spiritually. CAST’s motto – “Life defined…Not confined” – comes from Corinthians 12:9-10, which Paul ends with “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” The 50 or so members (most of whom are within an hours drive from Auburn) have fish fries together. They go to Biscuits games. They just got back from a big trip water-skiing – The AmpuSki Clinic – up in Ohio. The ministry started in 2006. It gets bigger every year. The stripes are one of the reasons why.
“Originally my legs came all the way down to my ankles. I had a bilateral amputation and they took out all the foot and ankle bones and it was like that for about 15 years, but then I started having problems with the bottoms,” he says. “So back in 2004 and 2005, I basically elected to have revision surgery and shorten the legs a little. That allowed me to wear better prosthesis. I had a better stump to work with and I quit wearing skin coverings. They could laminate whatever I wanted to my socket, so I went with the tiger stripes.”
Why? War Eagle, duh. But also because when you see a guy with bionic, tiger-striped legs, you know he’s obviously OK with stares and… you know, maybe it’s a little less awkward for everyone.
“One of the reasons I like wearing them is because to me, it’s easier for someone to start up a conversation about them, and gives me a chance to witness to them and everything,” he says. “If I have long pants on or skin (color), it’s not as noticeable, so it’s the biggest way to meet new amputees or folks that have amputees in their family. But in Auburn, most people just come right up to me and say ‘War Eagle’ and tell me they love the tiger stripes.”
Aubie has to be worried.
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Train track photos by Zac Henderson.
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Great article and an even better story, Jeremy.
This is an awesome story and really brings back some memories. I was on the 8th grade wrestling team when Woody, Wyn Lyle and Ace Atkins were all upper classmen. They were all good guys and we all looked up to them. Woody was very cool and I used to see him around town and at parties. I heard about his accident and remember being pretty upset. I have not heard from him or about him in so long and this is a great surprise to see how well he is getting along. Thanks.
Nice article and excellent story. I lived in Thornton Apts on Cox St. my freshman year at AU and some of my buddies lived in Little Henry’s the next year. I knew Woody a little (went to some parties at his house…I remember a great beach party in particular), but never knew this happened. I graduated in March, ’89 and I guess this info never got back to me. Glad to hear Woody made it through all of this and is doing so well.
WAR EAGLE!!! 🙂 this is an awesome article and extremely inspiring.
Inspiring story. I lived around there too and never heard the story. I lost another friend on those tracks around that time.
We’ve known Woody since shortly after this happened but the is the first time we knew the entire story. What a witness, Woody could have been bitter and angry but turned this into a positive. He and Holly have a beautiful family and we thank God for our “Auburn Family”. War Eagle
When I arrived In the trauma room the night of Woody’s accident to see my “baby” brother lying on the gurney cover in crisole and blood, I felt the life sucked out of me, it was horrific. But in one instance, I felt a new life begin to fill my body…one instance, one statement…
Woody looked at me and with a broken jaw and a smile on his face and said “Both of my feet are gone. I was run over by a train. But I am not and WILL NOT ever be handicapped or disabled.” He squeezed my hand and I knew He was telling me the truth! I said to him right there and then “GOD has bigger plans for you in this life little brother!”
Woody has been amazing, his attitude, his drive and hid faith have never faltered! Don’t get me wrong, there were many tough moments and obsticles for him through his recovery, but he took each one with an optimistic attitude and over came them quickly.
Woody, and his wife Holly and their family, are all amazing people, and in my opinion, anyone who knows them has been given a special blessing!
Kudos and Love!
I’m confused. Are we praising this man for being drunk and passing out on the train tracks?
Great point Mike! I hope that everyone who reads this article realizes that being drunk and run over by a train has been and always will be an embarassing, regretful, and shameful moment for me and my family. But in 2 Corinthians 11:30 it says that “if I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” and again in chapter 12 verses 9 & 10, it tells me to delight in my weaknesses because it is only through Christ that I can turn this into a strength.
I gave my life to Christ in 2000 and I am proud to say that I have not had a drop to drink since! I love to share my story with youth groups and the local prison about the dangers alcohol and binge drinking. If I have to relive the disgrace of the lifestyle that I was living at the time in order to help someone else to avoid the life altering and destroying effects that alcohol can and does have on millions of people everyday, then it is when I am weak, that I am made strong.
There is only one reason for me to share my story and that is to help others learn from my mistakes.
It’s nice to see that your life is full of joy and happiness insted of shame a regret now Woody. God Bless!
Woody is a shining example of looking up with hope and achievement, rather than down at hopelessness and self-pity. The human spirit, with the Holy Spirit, can do anything that has to be done. As Philippians 4:13 says: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. And as a wonderful song says: “Nothing is impossibe when you put your trust in God”!
I was working at Aubie’s that summer and remember hearing of this. I’m glad all has worked out. WDE!
I didn’t know Mr. Thornton personally, but I lived in Little Henry Apartments for 3 years while in graduate school (2007-2010) and it was probably the best run apartment complex I have ever lived in. Mr. Thornton was always nice and you could tell a very Godly man. The whole time I lived there I never knew this story. Truly amazing. I miss that place so much and I hope all is well there! Great story!
Love this story! I’m an Occupational Therapist and work with patients in rehabilitation setting. What an inspiring story this is! I want to share it!
Bad form “Mike” … bad form.
Holy moly! I remember when this happened as some of my Theta Xi buddies knew Woody. I followed it closely then and have wondered a few times whatever happened to him. So nice to see this outcome and that life has turned around.