2008 Woodie Awards
Gardner is 'Highlander'
By: David Funk
Issue date: 3/5/07 Section: Opinion
There can be only one Highlander, and his name is Rulon Gardner. He simply refuses to die.
You'll remember Gardner from the Sydney Olympics, where in one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Olympics he won the gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling by ending Alexander Karelin's 13-year winning streak. He also took home the Bronze Medal in Athens in 2004.
You may also remember he was struck by a vehicle while riding his motorcycle to practice just before the 2004 games.
You or I would've perished right there. Gardner survived with only a few cuts and scrapes.
He has inside him blood of kings.
He was snowmobiling in Wyoming in 2002 and was separated from a friend. He fell into an ice-cold river a number of times trying to find his way back and was stranded for the night. His body temperature fell to 88 degrees.
Gardner lost a frostbitten toe after that one, but survived.
He has no rival. No man can be his equal.
Gardner was playing with a bow and arrow when he was a child and his parents were out of town. He impaled himself. Doctors said he narrowly missed vital organs and, thus, certain death.
He's a man who will go far.
But last week's escapade proves to be Gardner's most impressive. He and two friends were flying a small passenger plane over Lake Powell in Utah when they lost control of the aircraft. It plunged into the 44 degree water and began to sink.
As if the story needed any more drama, Gardner is not a good swimmer. His friends quickly taught him the backstroke.
Experts say the human body will begin feeling the effects of hypothermia after 30 minutes in 44 degree water. Gardner and his friends swam for over an hour to reach the shore.
But the story doesn't end there. Gardner had kicked off his shoes and was wearing only a t-shirt and jeans while the men stayed overnight without shelter or fire. They were picked up in the morning by a passing fisherman.
Gardner boarded a plane two days later to make it to a previously schedule speaking engagement in Boston.
Here Rulon Gardner is, born to be a king. He's the prince of the universe.
You'll remember Gardner from the Sydney Olympics, where in one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Olympics he won the gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling by ending Alexander Karelin's 13-year winning streak. He also took home the Bronze Medal in Athens in 2004.
You may also remember he was struck by a vehicle while riding his motorcycle to practice just before the 2004 games.
You or I would've perished right there. Gardner survived with only a few cuts and scrapes.
He has inside him blood of kings.
He was snowmobiling in Wyoming in 2002 and was separated from a friend. He fell into an ice-cold river a number of times trying to find his way back and was stranded for the night. His body temperature fell to 88 degrees.
Gardner lost a frostbitten toe after that one, but survived.
He has no rival. No man can be his equal.
Gardner was playing with a bow and arrow when he was a child and his parents were out of town. He impaled himself. Doctors said he narrowly missed vital organs and, thus, certain death.
He's a man who will go far.
But last week's escapade proves to be Gardner's most impressive. He and two friends were flying a small passenger plane over Lake Powell in Utah when they lost control of the aircraft. It plunged into the 44 degree water and began to sink.
As if the story needed any more drama, Gardner is not a good swimmer. His friends quickly taught him the backstroke.
Experts say the human body will begin feeling the effects of hypothermia after 30 minutes in 44 degree water. Gardner and his friends swam for over an hour to reach the shore.
But the story doesn't end there. Gardner had kicked off his shoes and was wearing only a t-shirt and jeans while the men stayed overnight without shelter or fire. They were picked up in the morning by a passing fisherman.
Gardner boarded a plane two days later to make it to a previously schedule speaking engagement in Boston.
Here Rulon Gardner is, born to be a king. He's the prince of the universe.
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