Eric LeGrand

Eric James LeGrand (born September 4, 1990) is an American former football defensive tackle who played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

He became paralyzed while making a tackle in an October 2010 game, but has since regained movement in his shoulders and sensation throughout his body. As of 2020, LeGrand has been making consistent recovery at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him to a symbolic contract as an undrafted free agent in May 2012.

In 2017, LeGrand was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as the third recipient of the Warrior Award.

College

In 2008, as a true freshman, LeGrand made his collegiate debut against the North Carolina Tar Heels on September 11. He saw action on special teams. By 2009, coach Greg Schiano decided to channel LeGrand's strength and speed at a new position, defensive lineman. LeGrand earned himself the backup defensive tackle position to Charlie Noonan, but he managed to appear in all thirteen games that season, racking up 33 tackles. Schiano saw him as a multipurpose player, and LeGrand proved himself to be with 13 tackles on kickoff coverage in his sophomore season. LeGrand recorded a tackle for loss in seven games, and played eleven games where he had multiple sacks. He went on to tie his career-high four tackles against the Maryland Terrapins. LeGrand added three solo tackles, including a tackle-for-loss against West Virginia on December 5 and at Syracuse on November 21. LeGrand posted three tackles versus South Florida on November 12 and matched his career high four tackles and had 1 tackles for loss along with a fumble recovery against Pittsburgh on October 16 and three tackles and an assisted tackle for loss against Howard on September 12.

In 2010, LeGrand's junior season, he proved to be a crucial performer at defensive tackle in the first six games before suffering a career-ending spinal cord injury. He had his season-high three tackles and a tackle for loss against Tulane on October 2. On September 2 versus Norfolk State, LeGrand proved useful to the team defense, posting a pair of tackles, including a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. He added two tackles at FIU on September 11, and assisted on a sack against North Carolina on September 25. On October 16 in a game against the Army Black Knights at MetLife Stadium, he suffered an injury in the fourth quarter during a collision with Army's kickoff returner, Malcom Brown, ending the defensive tackle's season with 13 tackles including two sacks.

He was taken to the intensive care unit of the Hackensack University Medical Center, in Hackensack, New Jersey, where doctors determined that LeGrand was paralyzed from the neck down. He fractured his C3 and C4 cervical vertebrae. About two weeks later, he was transferred to Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, one of the US's leaders in spinal cord rehabilitation.

LeGrand was put on a respirator right away to help him breathe, and doctors informed his mother that he would more than likely need the aid of the machine to continue breathing for the rest of his life. Doctors also informed Karen LeGrand that her son had a suspected 0–5% chance of walking for the rest of his life. The next day when LeGrand woke up, he managed to mouth the words "I'll be back" to his mother. The Buccaneers were coached by Greg Schiano, who was the Rutgers head coach during LeGrand's playing career. Schiano agreed to become the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 26, 2012. LeGrand officially announced his retirement from football on July 26, 2012, to free up a roster spot for the team.

At the beginning of the 2012 NFL season, the rules regarding kickoffs changed so that kickoffs took place from the 35-yard line, instead of the 30-yard line, in hopes of reducing the number of injuries. LeGrand believed that the rule should return to its previous incarnation, and he argued that many football players can make a career out of playing on special teams and that the new rule deprives teams and players of some of the thrill and excitement of the game.

Subway added LeGrand to their roster of star athlete promoters. LeGrand appeared alongside Justin Tuck of the New York Giants in commercials throughout the 2012 season. LeGrand joined a team of Subway-sponsored athletes including Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps and Apolo Anton Ohno. Tom Pace of Subway's marketing office stated that; "We believe his inspirational story resonates with our fans. All of our athletes who know Eric are already rooting for him. Like us, they love his character, determination and positive outlook."

From 2016 to 2017, LeGrand hosted a six-episode mini web series, Mission Possible with Eric LeGrand, which was produced by the Mission Possible Group. Peter Berg, Doug Ellin, and Teri Weinberg were executive producers on the series, which launched digitally on FoxSports. The series features stories of six individuals living in the face of adversity. The episodes include appearances by: Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Drew Brees, Sean Payton, Dwayne Johnson, Justin Thomas, Michael Strahan, Frank Lampard, and Triple H. LeGrand made appearances promoting the series on Good Morning America, Fox NFL Sunday, First Things First, The Seth Davis Show, CBS This Morning, and Good Morning Football.

In 2020, Eric started building a coffee shop in his New Jersey hometown, Woodbridge, called LeGrand Coffee House. The business opened in 2022.

In March 2023 Eric Legrand began a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey company in partnership with Brian Axelrod. It is now sold in Kentucky and New Jersey. To honor Eric's Rutgers jersey number 52, $5.20 of every sale goes to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

Awards and honors In June 2012, LeGrand was presented the Unsung Hero Award by the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

He was presented the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 20th annual ESPYs on July 11, 2012. During his speech, he announced that he would someday walk again.

The Eric LeGrand Patriot Saint Foundation is dedicated to helping those with spinal cord injuries. Nike presented their Eric LeGrand Foundation game jersey for Tampa Bay fans who want to show their support and spirit for LeGrand on his long road to recovery. All of the proceeds of LeGrand's number 52 jerseys, which are on sale in the team shop, go to this foundation. His jersey will remain on sale regardless of LeGrand's team status; for now, LeGrand's role is to provide inspiration for his teammates and others.

The Rutgers Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the establishment of the Eric LeGrand Believe Fund to support him and his family. The Believe Fund's goal is to raise money to support the paralyzed player as he undergoes medical treatment for the injury he had against Army. The money will be used as the LeGrand family sees fit.

On July 30, 2013, it was announced that Rutgers would retire the No. 52 jersey worn by LeGrand. The ceremony occurred on September 14, 2013, at halftime of the Rutgers-Eastern Michigan game. It was the first number to be retired by Rutgers in the 144-year history of their program. It has been stated by Rutgers and LeGrand that when he is able to walk onto the field again, they will unretire the #52 and put it back into rotation for a worthy player.

On May 18, 2014, LeGrand received a degree in labor relations from Rutgers and was asked to speak to his fellow graduates at Rutgers' spring commencement exercises.

On October 16, 2016 (the sixth anniversary of his spinal cord injury), Avenel, NJ's former Fifth District Park was rededicated in LeGrand's honor as "Eric LeGrand 'Believe' Park". The park is slated to be fully redesigned and updated with handicap-accessible playground equipment.

On March 13, 2017, professional wrestling and media company WWE announced that LeGrand would receive the Warrior Award at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony on March 31, 2017. Since its introduction in 2015, the Warrior Award is given to "an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance, and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of Ultimate Warrior".

In 2020, he was inducted into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame.

Books In both The Victorious Story of Eric LeGrand (Young Readers' Edition) and Believe: My Faith and the Tackle That Changed My Life, he tells the story of how he is rebuilding his life, continuing his education, and pursuing a career in sports broadcasting. The book was published by HarperCollins in September 2012.

Family LeGrand's mother is Karen LeGrand. He has a sister named Nicole LeGrand Harrigan, and his grandmother is Betty LeGrand.