Author Receives Literary Award for Warminster-based Book

The incredible story of Buddy and Jimmy Miley was compelling enough to get a book written about it, and that book was good enough to receive the 2013 PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sportswriting.

Mark Kram, Jr., author of Like Any Normal Day, received the award during a special ceremony on Oct. 21 honoring all of the 2013 PEN winners. In a Facebook post, Kram reprinted his acceptance speech, thanking his family and the people that helped get the book published, including his agent and the editor-in-chief of St. Martin's Press.

He also included a special message to the Miley family, saying, "To the Mileys….all of you: thank you for your openness and honesty. Mrs. Rosemarie Miley…..I will always carry you in my heart. Jimmy Miley….how brave you were, not just to shoulder the sorrow of your beloved brother Buddy, but to tear back the scar tissue and relive with me that dark time."

St. Martin's Press published Like Any Normal Day last year, sending the Mileys' story into the general public. The book recounts the moments leading up to and after the 1973 football injury that permanently paralyzed William Tennent star quarterback Buddy Miley. 

Buddy struggled to adjust to his new way of life, right up until his death in 1997, an assisted suicide adminstered by Dr. Jack Krevorkian. His brother, Jimmy, shepherded Buddy to his meeting with Dr. Krevorkian, keeping the trip a secret from the rest of the family.

Kram also had a message for Buddy during his acceptance speech:

"You were so strong in life. I hope you have found eternal peace."