Tracy Morgan Reveals At 2015 Emmys What Inspired Him To Recover After Car Crash; 'I Don’t Give Up'

Tracy Morgan made a surprise appearance as a presenter at the 2015 Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday night 15 months after a car wreck left him suffering from several serious injuries. After his emotional speech at the awards show resulted in a standing ovation from his peers, the comedic actor headed to the press room backstage to open up about his long road to recovery and his big return to show business.

“When I got onstage it was overwhelming for me,” Morgan told reporters, including International Business Times’ Monica Castillo, of his return to the Emmy stage. “I just wanted to let them know I miss them very much.”

Morgan said that after suffering from a traumatic head injury, among other ailments, his recovery was a long process. However, he said it was made easier by his family, especially his wife, Megan Wollover, who he says wouldn’t let him give up.

“Well, my wife wouldn’t let me do that. My son wouldn’t let me do that. I looked at my little daughter's face and they wouldn’t let me do that ... But I don’t give up. My father was trapped in the Vietnam at 17 and I never seen him give up so I wanted to be like my father. Even when he had AIDS, he never gave up," Morgan said, getting emotional. "So we don’t do that as Morgans.”

The 46-year-old former “30 Rock” star said he hopes that his tragedy, which resulted in the death of his friend, comedian James McNair, wouldn't be "in vain." As previously reported, Morgan was one of four injured during the June 2014 crash when a Wal-Mart truck hit a limo carrying Morgan and his friends on the New Jersey turnpike.

The actor said it was his publicist’s decision to make his first appearance back at the Emmys and “let Hollywood welcome you back home.” His comeback speech was co-written by his close friends and fellow comedians Louis C.K. and Jeff Stilson, just two of his peers who helped him overcome his injuries.

“It came from my heart,” he said of his speech. “We sat down and it just came from my heart. I just want to say to my peers and my comrades and to the people of TV land, thank you very much.”

Ultimately, Morgan said he has faith that he will be able make life funny again. “Because if God can get you to it he’ll get you through it. I’m here ... We’ll get through it, and that’s all my wife kept saying, ‘You’ll get through it. You’ll get to the funny again.’”