09/17/2026
‼️ Three months after a bullet left a Mississippi deputy paralyzed from the lower chest down, he rolled onto the field at MetLife Stadium in front of thousands of football fans and learned that one enormous worry about his uncertain future had just been taken away.
Deputy Yates Rodney and his wife, Tori, are getting a mortgage free smart home. 🏠🙏
I first shared Yates’ story in July, when he began documenting the reality of recovering from the spinal cord injury he suffered after being shot in the line of duty June 8th.
His message to everyone following him then was filled with faith, determination and one enormous prayer:
“I believe I’ll walk again… although it will take a miracle.”
He has been sharing the hard days and the progress ever since, hoping his own recovery might keep somebody else from giving up.
But this weekend, Yates was the one being surprised.
During the New York Giants home opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Yates and his family were brought onto the field at MetLife Stadium. In front of thousands of fans, the announcement came over the stadium speakers that Tunnel to Towers would provide Yates and Tori with a mortgage free smart home.
Two time Super Bowl champion Justin Tuck was there to help present the ceremonial key.
And listening to Yates talk afterward, you understand why HOME means so much more to him now than simply having a place to live.
“With my injury and losing so much function of my body and me and Tori’s lives being changed forever and turned completely upside down… just the generosity and how the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has treated us, it’s just been mind blowing.”
He said they have treated his family “like we’re blood relatives.”
“They’ve literally changed our lives.”
Think about the journey between those two moments.
In July, Yates was lying in rehabilitation asking people to pray that he would walk again.
Three months after the shooting, he is still working toward getting as much function back as he can. He still doesn’t know exactly what his future will look like.
But now he and Tori know something else about that future.
They’ll have a home designed around the life they are learning to navigate together, and they won’t have a mortgage hanging over them while they do it.
Yates says the gift has only made him more determined to keep pushing.
“It’s been extremely motivating to continue my journey and getting better every single day and getting as much back as I can and to keep inspiring and to keep sharing my faith.”
Three months ago, his prayer was simple: “Pray for me to walk again.”
That prayer hasn’t changed.
But while Yates keeps fighting for every bit of progress his body will give him, an incredible group of strangers just made sure that wherever this journey takes him, he and Tori will have a HOME waiting for them.
What would you say to Yates as he keeps fighting toward the miracle he still believes is possible?
And to Tunnel to Towers, Justin Tuck and everyone who helped make this happen, what an incredible way to say: we haven’t forgotten you.
🇺🇸❤️
