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| Congratulations to Dr. Rocky Lyons! - Young hero to continue life of helping
By Alvin Benn • May 18, 2009
BIRMINGHAM -- Just call him "Dr. Rocky." Martin Anthony Lyons Jr. has three years to go in Montgomery before completing his residency requirement, but he officially became a doctor Sunday afternoon. More than 150 of his classmates at the University of Alabama at Birmingham also received their doctor designations, but Lyons was the only one to have his nickname inserted before his surname. The nickname is unusual, but so is Rocky, who became a national celebrity at the age of 5 when he rescued his severely injured mother at the bottom of a deep ravine in Demopolis. It happened on Halloween night of 1987 when Kelley Lyons lost control of her pickup after it hit a deep pothole, causing it to tumble down a steep embankment. Her son, who survived without serious injury when she shielded his body with hers, coaxed and pushed his mother up the hill. Then, he flagged down a passing vehicle and got her to a hospital for treatment. A few days after the accident, Rocky was mentioned during a nationally televised professional football game. Newspapers around the country reported his heroism.
In the 22 years since he became famous, Rocky has had his eyes set on becoming a doctor in rural Alabama -- a career goal that didn't surprise his mother or father. "Alabama has 53 medically under-served counties, so he will be more appreciated going back to a rural area because he's attached to that area," his mother, now Kelley Barnes, said of her son. In 2012, Dr. Lyons, 27, will have finished his training with the Montgomery Family Medicine Residency program. Most likely, he will be moving to rural Alabama to practice. His mother said the 1987 wreck had "everything" to do with her son's decision to become a doctor. "It definitely had an impact on him, one that convinced him to do something in his future to save lives," said Barnes, once married to Marty Lyons, a defensive football star at the University of Alabama and, later, for the New York Jets. A successful businessman in New York, Marty Lyons doesn't miss an opportunity to be with his son, especially at happy occasions such as the one Sunday. "This means so much to me to see the type of young man he's become," said Lyons, who became emotional when talking about his son. "You realize how many people he's touched in such a positive way during his young life."
Prior to joining relatives at a reception following the ceremony at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, Rocky spoke fondly of a Demopolis doctor who pointed him in what would become his direction in life. Dr. Reese Holifield rushed from his house at 2 a.m. to the Demopolis hospital to work on Kelley's badly damaged body. Both of her shoulders, cheeks and nose were crushed. Extensive facial reconstruction would be needed. "That's what started me on this long road so many years ago," Rocky said. "Dr. Holifield saved my mother's life. He wasn't on call that night, but he spent 10-12 hours in the operating room with mom. "Lyons said he was inspired by the way the people of Demopolis loved Holifield "and he loved the community." Holifield died five years ago. Rocky's parents both remarried following their divorce but have remained close. They share many happy moments at events with their son. Five years ago, they were at Huntingdon College for Rocky's graduation -- an event that served as an academic stepping stone to his medical career. Next April, they will be back at Huntingdon College as Dr. Lyons exchanges vows with Montgomery native Lindsay Glaze, a fellow student at Huntingdon. "He was the best-looking boy I had ever seen," said Glaze, who accompanied Rocky's relatives to the Sunday ceremony. "You could say the rest is history."
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Watch videos of:
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The Heart of a Lyon
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Marty Lyons Distinquished Citizen Award
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Kenny Schroy - Man of the Year Award
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Marty Lyons Foundation Long Isand Golf Classic |
Marty Lyons in the Buick Highlight Reel |
