When Glenn Cunningham was a small boy growing up in rural Kansas, he and his older brother Floyd were trapped in a schoolhouse fire caused by an overheated stove. Floyd died from the burns, and Glenn’s legs were terribly burned at the age of seven. His legs were burned so badly that the doctors considered amputation, but at the last minute decided against it. He was told he would not walk again. Glenn was resolved to not only walk but to run. Glenn painfully exercised and struggled to regain movement. He crawled, then stood, then slowly learned to walk and run again despite severe injuries. Two years later, he was running, not fast but running. By the time he went to college, he was running well enough that he was on the track team. While in college, he had improved to the point that he qualified for the Berlin Olympics in 1934. He ended up breaking the Olympic record for the 1500-meter race as well as setting a world record in the mile run of 4 minutes, 6.8 seconds (a world record at the time). He continued to win numerous national championships in the following years. Because of his recovery from devastating burns, newspapers often called him “the miracle mile runner.” Glenn later operated a youth ranch for troubled boys with his wife, Ruth. His life story became a classic example of perseverance, courage, and refusing to accept limitations. Several books and films were inspired by his life, including: The Glenn Cunningham Story & stories in inspirational and sports collections.

What are some of the lessons trial lawyers can learn from Glen Cunningham’s life story? People often underestimate what determined human beings can overcome. Other important lessons trial lawyers can draw from his life are that persistence matters more than early appearances, even when cases initially look unwinnable. Cunningham’s doctors predicted permanent disability, yet he achieved what experts thought impossible. Trial lawyers often face skeptical judges, difficult facts, defense experts, or early losses. Adversity can become strength. Never surrender belief before the verdict. Courage is continuing despite pain. Jurors are moved by human perseverance. Cunningham’s story demonstrates the emotional power of authentic struggle and recovery. Great trial lawyers understand that persuasion is not merely logic; it is also human meaning and hope.

Here is a different true-life event that has another kind of lesson for trial lawyers. Roy Riegel was playing for California in a 1929 college football game between the California Golden Bears and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. During the first half, Roy recovered a fumble. But in the confusion of the play, he became disoriented and accidentally ran in the wrong direction toward his own team’s goal line. As Riegel sprinted the wrong way, his teammates chased him, trying to stop him. Finally, teammate Benny Lom caught him near the goal line and turned him around. But the damage was done. California was trapped near its own end zone. When California had to punt, Georgia Tech blocked the kick and scored a safety. At halftime, Riegel expected his coach to be really angry and bench him for the rest of the game. Instead, coach Nibs Price began by telling the team, “The same team that started the first half will start the second.” He then gave a famous speech at halftime, telling the team, “Get up and go back in. The game is only half over.” Regel returned to the field and played brilliantly in the second half. However,  Georgia Tech eventually won the game 8–7. Riegel was devastated and cried after the game, believing he had disgraced himself and his university.

For trial lawyers, the lessons are profound. Every lawyer eventually runs the wrong way, even great trial lawyers: They can make a disastrous tactical decision, ask the wrong question, or make a disastrous decision about a juror. Emotional recovery is a professional skill. One of the most powerful lessons from Roy Riegels’ story for trial lawyers is this: A professional life is not judged solely by mistakes, but by what follows them. We all need to learn from the experiences of others who have faced challenges in their life like Glenn Cunningham and Roy Reigel

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