Yard Dawgz to host a book signing for former OU Linebacker Eric Thunander

Published on June 18, 2008 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY - Eric Thunander, a member of the University of Oklahoma's 2000 National Championship football team, will sign copies of his new book Silent Thunder at the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz June 21 game against the Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings.

Silent Thunder, Thunander's autobiography, details not only his experiences on the field, but also his struggles away from it. The title of Thunander's book is not just a clever play on the former Sooner's last name, but also the fact that he grew up deaf.

"People react to the book," the linebacker-turned-author said. "People relate to different parts of the book. Some can relate to the deaf part, or others, the sports part. The response has been tremendous."

Thunander's story describes how he overcame tremendous challenges in his life. Thunander's childhood involved periods of abuse and torment from family members, along with the stress of constantly changing schools and hometowns. He also spent some time in foster homes as a child.

Thunander used football to climb from those lows to Norman, where he was part of the renaissance of Oklahoma football, which fully arrived during the 2000 championship season.

Unfortunately, Thunander's football career came to an unexpected and unwanted halt after the 2000 season, when an MRI showed that a concussion suffered in the OU/Texas game caused enough harm that continuing to play football would be too great a risk.

"I didn't want to quit, but I didn't have much choice," Thunander said. "(OU Head) Coach (Bob) Stoops was more concerned about my health, and he couldn't let me play football anymore. But, when God closes one door, he opens 10 more."

Silent Thunder, forwarded by Stoops and University of Oklahoma President David Boren, details Thunander's battle with depression following the end of his football career, which included dropping out of OU, a divorce and a suicide attempt.

The book also chronicles Thunander's rebound and recovery, which led to his returning to school and 2007 graduation with a degree in communications.

Thunander's book signing will be in conjunction with a display of unique OU and OSU art.

"I've got the design patent on this," Gary Cook, owner of Asian Art Importers of Oklahoma said. "I'm the only person doing this in the world. A representative of the Collegiate Licensing Company said that is was the most unique piece they had seen in 10 years."

Cook will have several pieces available for sale, along with some one-of-a-kind works that will be part of a silent auction to help raise money for Relay for Life.

Thunander's signing and Cook's art exhibit will both begin when the doors open at the Ford Center this Saturday, June 21, at 5:30 p.m. Kickoff for the Yard Dawgz game versus the Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings is set for 7:05 p.m.

For more information on Eric Thunander and his book, visit www.silentthunder.net.

For more information about the artwork, visit www.pearlok.com.

For more information about the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, visit www.okcyarddawgz.com or call 405.228.3294.

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