Just over two months ago, the motocross world was struck a blow as one of its long time heroes, Blair Morgan, suffered a career ending injury at the Montreal supercross. I called Blair this week for an update to see how he was coping with his life altering injury. Let me tell you, this guy is one of a kind. You will notice in the interview this set back has not stopped the multi-time actions sports champion in any way at all. He is focused on getting healthy and strong again so he can chase new dreams. Blair you are the “Superman”. Enjoy this read; it’s a good one from one of the best all time.

Gauldy – Hey Blair, how’s it going?
Morgan – Well, not too bad, just lying around.

Gauldy - What have you been doing with your time?
Morgan - Just keeping to myself. I am a pretty quiet guy so I have not been really doing much since the injury. I am really glad to be home though. At least I can talk on MSN to pass the time. Other than that I have been just chilling out really.

Gauldy – Do you find yourself feeling really tired at all with the injury?
Morgan – No not really. Just, you know, when you’re injured you just have no energy.

Gauldy – A lot of people want to know buddy. How are you adapting to this new deal?
Morgan – Not too bad. I am getting around pretty good now. My upper body is pretty strong. It was low enough that it didn’t affect my arms at all. If the injury was a little higher I wouldn’t have the use of my upper body. I’m pretty lucky I guess to be able to have the use of my arms.

Gauldy – What exactly broke in your back?
Morgan – I broke the T-4 vertebrae. It broke and then went straight back into my spinal cord. I guess it is a sharp bone. It severed my spinal cord.

Gauldy – Wow, what the hell man. That is not supposed to happen to a guy like you.
Morgan – I know, I know. I broke my back before. This wasn’t even a big crash. I just went head first into a little bump. I don’t know if you have watched the video of Ricky James at all, but it was the exact same deal for him. He went into the side of the track into an embankment. It just kind of crushed the spine straight on, broke the vertebrae and shattered it. That sharp piece just went into the spinal cord.

Gauldy – This was just not supposed to happen Blair. It is mind boggling.
Morgan – I know man. I have had a lot of serious injuries, you know. I was coming to the end of my career I think. The track was pretty gnarly. I don’t think I was riding out of control or anything. It happened in a stupid little section. It was just weird I guess.

Gauldy– Have you seen the Motocross Files on Speed at all?
Morgan – I have seen a few, but I heard the David Bailey one was great.

Gauldy – Yes, it was a good one. In that show he mentions that when the accident happened, he said to the medics to stop holding him down. The medic replied and said “no one is touching you”. That is when he knew something was really wrong. When did you know?
Morgan – Pretty much right away. I kind of hit my head a bit and was dazed for a while, but I knew something wasn’t right. My back hurt like hell, like it felt like I was laying on razor blades. I could not feel my legs. I tried to move them and nothing was happening. I first thought that maybe it was just swelling and it would go away in a bit. I have heard about that happening, so I was hoping it was temporary. I was kind of hoping for that. After the surgery the doctor came in and told us what the deal was and I was like, “Oh great”.

Gauldy – Let’s get off the negative for a second. You have just come off one of the best summers of your career. You were battling and beating kids that are ten years younger than you. You raised the bar for the Vet milers out there (haha). It was just amazing to see. What are your thoughts on that?
Morgan – (Laughing) Vet Miler! Well I had such a bad year the year before, all sorts of different things didn’t click. I just wanted to work harder for it this year. The bikes were so much better this year. I got to go to Georgia with JSR and Colton, and that helped a ton I think. The bikes were so good that it was hard not to do well on them. (Laughing) Ya, I don’t know, everything just clicked this year. I didn’t really struggle with tracks that I usually do like Nanaimo and Moncton. Edmonton was so fun and I felt really good about the second moto. Then Walton was just awesome for me.

Gauldy – Walton was awesome to watch. It showed on TV you came so close to Tyler Medaglia’s head in the second moto when he crashed in front of you. What was your view like?
Morgan – It was close. I was braking so hard that it looked like I was going to go over the bars. I was crossing those deep ruts. It was close for sure. Lucky I didn’t go into the woods there. (Laughing)

Gauldy – What kind of thoughts have been going through your head lately. Are you thinking about old days a lot now or thinking about the future?
Morgan – Well, both actually. I think I have had a great career, and it was coming to the end anyways. I have accomplished all I wanted to in snocross and motocross. I won a lot of cool stuff in my career; Championships, X Games. It truly was amazing for me. I had a good run. It’s not like I am just a young guy and this happened at the beginning of my career. People don’t have to feel too bad for me.

Gauldy – Wow, what a great way to look at it. You are such a good sport. I’m sure it is hard for people to think like that. You have done so much for the sport then it all stops just like that.
Morgan – Ya, it has been really weird with friends. People have been avoiding me because they are unsure what to say. I’m fine. It’s not like I have leprosy and am contagious (Laughing). They don’t know what to say, or don’t want to come by. It’s all good folks.

Gauldy – I’ll tell ya what, if I lived near you I would be over all the time to smoke you at MX Unleashed!
Morgan – (Laughing) Well, I have lots of time to practice, but you wouldn’t have a chance anyway.

Gauldy – You’re going to be a world class athlete at video games now.
Morgan – Probably, I can’t do too much. I am still healing so I can’t move around much. I will get out and ride a sled soon enough, but for now it’s all about video games and movies. When I feel better and stronger I will get outside more.

Gauldy – Your kids Breck and Corbyn are a little older now. What have they reacted to your injury?
Morgan – Actually, the kids have been the best about it for sure. When they first saw me in the hospital they were a little scared and nervous. Now they don’t treat me any different at all. I got some ramps built now so they love it for all their cars and toys to slide down.

Gauldy – Your wife Terri has done a great job of informing people on your website. She seems like she has handled this better than most wives would.
Morgan – She is pretty tough. I have to take some needles in the morning and she does that for me. She has been awesome through this. She is actually in school full time and is in the middle of exams so she’s pretty stressed out right now. She still manages to help me though. She is awesome.

Gauldy – You say you’re a quiet and reserved kind of guy. You have seen our sport change for the better. I have been watching a ton of old videos lately from ‘97 to ’99. Those years were so much fun. What do you like better? Old days racing or present day racing?
Morgan – I definitely don’t think it was as serious back then. It is way different now. Nobody even trained back then, it was just race on the weekend and hang during the week. I never even practiced. Now you fly in and out, and there are trainers all over the place. I would say it was way more fun back then. There wasn’t as much work.

Gauldy- Did you get the results from Duluth a week ago?
Morgan – Oh ya. I had people text me the results. Tucker smoked everybody. None of the Ski Doo guys did very good.

Gauldy – Why is that?
Morgan – Last year we had issues with the suspension and stuff. Back when the Rev chassis was so good they thought they had the best thing going and didn’t make an effort to make it even better. We were winning on it all the time so they thought they didn’t have to work very hard. There are a lot of politics involved at that level. It really sucked actually. I think they got over confident.

Gauldy – What is Santa going to bring you?
Morgan – Nothing special. It will be all about family and relaxing. I got a kitty the other day.(laughs)

Gauldy – No way. What’s its name?
Morgan – Not sure yet. I just call it kitty for now. The kids love it. Breck can’t put it down. It is pretty cool. It climbs up on my neck and stuff. It’s my new best buddy.

Gauldy – Does Corbyn want to race this summer?
Morgan – He has a TTR 50 but says he doesn’t want to race, he just wants to ride. I am sure that will change.

Gauldy- You’re going to be a crazy fifty dad soon?
Morgan – Ya. I’ll be beating my kid, yelling at him, and fighting the other dads. Sounds like fun (laughing)

Gauldy – That would be hilarious to see that. What do the kids want for Christmas?
Morgan – Nothing really. They don’t ask for much. We don’t have TV so they don’t get to see commercials and stuff.

Gauldy – What no TV?
Morgan – Ya, I don’t watch TV at all, just movies really.

Gauldy – Man you’re missing some good drama with the Hills and 90210.
Morgan – I’ll pass on that stuff.

Gauldy – What do the next six months hold for you as far as rehab, and what are your plans for the future?
Morgan – Just take things day to day really. Just chill out now and get stronger. My back gets sores after a long day of just sitting around. I have been watching the Ricky James videos. I didn’t know that kid was so fast on that bike his dad built. It is pretty awesome to see. His dad e-mailed me actually, and I really want to get a bike and set it up like that so I can ride. I told Terri that I would be on the start gate for the first round next summer.

Gauldy – That would be awesome to see. Maybe we can raise some money to have you do a hot lap for the opening ceremonies at each national.
Morgan – That would be cool.

Gauldy – Thanks a ton for doing this. Merry Christmas, and I wish you the best to you and your family. You are truly an inspiration to us all.
Morgan – Thanks a lot Gauldy. Also thanks to everyone for their support through this tough time. It has meant the world to me. See you all next summer on the gate at the Loops.

Click here to view the video of Ricky James