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July 11, 2008

Former OU player shares his story

By Bruce Campbell, Commentary

Life is good for Eric Thunander these days.

He’s busy promoting his new book “Silent Thunder,’’ including a stop at Enid’s Christmas in July celebration Saturday at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. A national tour this fall may include appearances on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Larry King Live.”

He is talking with producers about making his story into a movie — a la “Rudy.”

“If you ask me three years ago if I would be in this position, I would laugh at you,’’ Thunander said.

Thunander’s story far outdoes Rudy as far as inspiration.

A child living in an abusive home, he overcomes living in foster care and deafness to earn a football scholarship to Oklahoma.

A head injury ended his career at OU. He fell into depression and drug and alcohol abuse for three years until he was persuaded to go back to school by Sooners coach Bob Stoops, who put him on scholarship.

He earned a communications degree and became a motivational speaker. In two weeks, he will have a cochlear implant operation and will be a spokesman for a hearing aid company.

Stoops and OU president David Boren have written the foreword for the book, which has been out for two weeks.

He’s sold more than 1,000 copies, but he expects sales to pick up even more during the fall when he will be signing books before OU home games.

“I’m just having fun right now,’’ Thunander said.

Football had been his escape since 13, when he read a story about Nebraska’s Kenny Walker, who overcame deafness to become an All-American.

“I controlled my destiny with football,’’ he said “When I got hurt playing football at OU, I felt like my world was ripped apart. It was the only thing I knew, I thought my life was over.’’

It took a while for him to realize it wasn’t.

“I let God into my life and I made a huge turnaround,’’ Thunander said.

Former Heisman Trophy winner Steve Owens is helping negotiations with filmmakers, which include E.K. Gaylord III and OU graduate John Hobbs.

Actor Ed Harris has received a copy of Thunander’s book and Thunander would like singer Toby Keith, a big Sooner fan, involved.

“I want to bring hope to the table,’’ Thunander said.

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