You name it, he pretty much does it -- hunting, fishing, skiing, scuba diving.

triggerAd(1,PaginationPage,16);

That's just the way he is.

But former Lions offensive lineman Mike Utley says the sports opportunities are pretty much unlimited for the disabled.

"You're only limited by what you put in front of yourself as a wall," Utley said in a phone interview. "You are only limited by what you say you can't do."

His message hasn't wavered in the more than 17 years since he was paralyzed in a 1991 game at the Silverdome either. It was thumbs-up then and it's thumbs-up now.

Utley will be in town Thursday to speak at the Sporting Lands Alliance's 4th Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner, 6:30 p.m. at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester. The alliance is a supporter of disabled sportsmen, having just hosted its second pheasant hunt for hunters in wheelchairs.

In addition to playing hard, Utley works hard, too, with the Orondo, Wash.-based Mike Utley Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness and finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. (See mikeutley.org.)

"That's my story, is to tell people I work Monday through Friday to play on that Sunday as a reward," Utley said. "And hunting and fishing is a reward for a lot of people."

Utley takes his message to a lot of speaking engagements. And when he does, what do people want to know?

"The No. 1 thing, they go, 'How was it blocking for Barry Sanders?' That is the No. 1 question," he said. "And you know what? Barry Sanders made us look good, every offensive linemen who ever blocked for him."

One last thing, just to show how truly positive Utley is: He has hopes for the Lions.

"My good man, it was a little rough last year," Utley laughed. "But with a new GM and a new coach, I'm looking forward to it. I just love the game of football."

Tickets for Thursday's dinner are $35. Call 248-601-1241 or go online at sportinglandsalliance.org.