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Flying High with Marlon Shirley
By Meredy Fullen 2005 ESPY - Best Male Athlete with a Disability
 Across the room Marlon Shirley works the crowd
like a pro. In conversation, he shifts his weight from side to
side, glancing around the room, making it difficult to tell if he
is into the discussion. However, with his quick wit, he proves he
has been paying attention while he keeps an eye on what is going on
around him. Upon meeting Shirley, it is easy to equate him with any
other young athlete who exudes confidence bordering on arrogance.
However, in talking with him, one can get under the layers of what
makes him who he is, putting him in a class all by himself. His
upbringing no doubt added to what comprises his cool and rough
exterior, yet at the same time shaped his appreciation for where
his life is taking him.
Common Threads
One could say that Shirley and Yeboah have much in common. As a
child, Shirley was abandoned by his mother on the streets of Las
Vegas, Nevada, where he suffered from poverty and abuse, winding
his way in and out of orphanages. It was at one of these orphanages
that Shirley lost his foot in a lawn mower accident. Several years
later, he was adopted by a family in Utah. It was there that
Shirley developed his tenacity and desire to accomplish whatever he
was told he could never do.
Shirley, a member of Team Ossur, a Paralympic medalist in track
and field, and often referred to as the world's fastest amputee
sprinter, is no stranger to the spotlight. He has succeeded in
capturing the attention of mainstream media and many accolades--not
only because he is fast and can jump farther than any other
amputee, but because he is an inspiration. He was the first amputee
to break the 11-second barrier in the 100m event with a time of
10.97 seconds, and he intends to compete against world-class
able-bodied sprinters by qualifying for the Grand Prix circuit in
Europe. The track is the venue for Shirley's cause, where he hopes
to build public awareness for the Paralympic Games, change
perceptions, and increase opportunities for individuals with
disabilities.
King of the Mountain
Reflecting on winning his second ESPY Award, Shirley humbly
said, "I was really surprised that I won. I mean, I was nominated
with two of the best, Paul Martin and Rudy Garcia-Tolson, who are
absolutely amazing athletes on Team Ossur."
Being king of the mountain is hard to maintain. To stay on top,
Shirley trains at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista,
California, where coaches and fellow Olympic athletes do not cut
him any slack. Giving credit to prosthetic technology, Shirley says
he uses the Flex-Foot® Cheetah® prosthetic foot for his
track and field activities, while he wears the Flex-Foot LP
Vari-Flex® for his everyday activities. He has been quoted
saying that while the advanced carbon technology contributes to his
success, about 40 percent of his efforts are physical, while 60
percent are mental.
Keeping it Real
When asked if he was star-struck at the ESPY ceremony in
Hollywood, Shirley commented, "I had met most of the professional
athletes before. There are always lots of parties and everything,
but the ESPY ceremonies fall in the middle of my season, so I did
not attend all the social events due to my training schedule."
A rigorous daily training schedule isn't all that keeps Shirley
busy. He also works the business side of sports, fulfilling
endorsement agreements with companies outside of O&P such as
Visa, McDonald's, The Home Depot, Oakley, and Gateway. He is often
called upon to make appearances at events, to deliver motivational
speeches, or to provide interviews and photo opportunities. But
Shirley says his hectic schedule is all a means to an end: "For me
to be able to obtain endorsements isn't about me; it helps show
that athletes with disabilities are marketable and brings more
recognition to our sports. I am simply using track and field to
accomplish some things personally before I get on to what I will do
for the rest of my life." Shirley is an avid pilot who loves
aeronautical engineering, where he has some formal training and
education. He hopes someday to fly for a commercial airline.
For more information on the products worn by Marlon Shirley,
visit www.ossur.com For more information on Marlon
Shirley, visit www.mshirley.com 
Table Of Contents - October 2005
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