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

Fan Zhendong Continues to Dominate China’s Super League

July 27, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The China Table Tennis Super League (CTTSL) is full of elite talent, and right now… Read More

Product Validation – Timo Boll Post Career Set up

July 26, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Product Validation, Brian Pace shows you what Timo Boll’s Set-up is after… Read More

Laurent Jutras-Vigneault and Natalie Chan Win Canadian Junior Titles

July 26, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo TTCanada) The Canadian Nationals are split into two events with the senior event first… Read More

Edward Ly and Mo Zhang Biggest Winners at Canadian Senior Championships

July 25, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Richmond’s Olympic Oval in British Columbia was host to the 2025 Canadian Senior Table Tennis… Read More

Incorporating the Wait Function

July 25, 2025
WAIT FUNCTION: 1 short side spin serve, robot will play 5 random top spin balls anywhere on the… Read More

Play 60% of Your Maximum Power

July 23, 2025
Robot will play RANDOM top spin balls anywhere on the table, either Forehand topspin or Backhand topspin to… Read More

Don’t Hang Out

July 21, 2025
Robot will play RANDOM top spin balls to 2/3 of the table (Forehand), only Forehand topspin to Backhand… Read More

#4 Heavy Pushes that don’t let the opponent take the initiative (final episode)

July 21, 2025
Feature] [Special feature] America’s star! Jha’s strong points #4 Short Pushes that don’t let the opponent take the… 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.