Site Products
CATCHING UP WITH MICHAEL GODFREYS: Swinging for the Games

CATCHING UP WITH MICHAEL GODFREYS: Swinging for the Games

(Courtesy of ProRodeo Sports News / By TRACY RENCK)

Michael Godfrey was a weekend warrior in the PRCA as a saddle bronc rider and bull rider. Until his life changed forever.

The Texas cowboy was paralyzed after he fell awkwardly from a bull in El Paso, Texas, Feb. 9, 1996.

“It shattered my fifth and sixth (cervical vertebrae of the spine),” said Godfrey, who had been competing
in rodeo for nearly 20 years at the time of the accident. “I knew I was hurt bad.”
Godfrey, 56, was initially paralyzed from the neck down and spent three months in the hospital. He regained
movement of his arms.

While hospitalized, Godfrey saw people playing wheelchair sports.

“They were playing ping pong (table tennis) and I thought, ‘I played some ping pong,’” Godfrey said. “I thought
it was something I could do. I played competitively for three years (after being injured), but I had to stop because I
couldn’t afford to play it because you have to go play in other countries.”

By 1999, Godfrey’s life was at a crossroads, and he uprooted from Arlington, Texas, where he was living.

Please click here for full article

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.

Latest News

Shorten Your Swing

July 4, 2025
WAIT FUNCTION: Serve short backspin or side backspin to Forehand or Backhand, Robot plays long 1 backspin push… Read More

Bob Chen Attacking Backhand Flick: Butterfly Training Tips

July 4, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) Bob Chen Bob Chen Attacking Backhand Flick: Butterfly Training Tips https://youtu.be/RyFTvjLyHk4 Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly… Read More

Derek May Bowmar Sports Interview

July 3, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Bowmar Sports Interview, Coach Taiwo Adeyinka interviews long time Sponsored player, Derek May.… Read More

Apolonia ZLC + Dignics 09C + Dignics 09C Racket Review

July 2, 2025
(by Bowmar Sports) In this video, Coach Brian Pace reviews and dives deep into one of Butterfly’s elite… Read More

Open Up Your Body

July 2, 2025
WAIT FUNCTION: Serve short backspin or side backspin to Backhand, Robot plays long backspin push to Backhand, Backhand… Read More

Kanak Jha and Sally Moyland are National Singles Champions

July 2, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Kanak Jha arrived in Ontario, California for the start of the US National Table Tennis… Read More

Darryl Tsao – Forehand Counterloop: Butterfly Training Tips

July 2, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Darryl Tsao is explaining the benefits of the Forehand Counterloop… Read More

#1 Putting time pressure on the opponent with quick attacks

July 1, 2025
[Feature] [Special Feature] America’s star! Jha’s strong points #1 Putting time pressure on the opponent with quick attacks… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.