Eric LeGrand
Encyclopedia
Eric LeGrand is an American football
player. He played for the Rutgers University
Scarlet Knights
.
, New Jersey
, he attended high school at Colonia High School
. LeGrand was a four-year starter for coach Ben LaSala. LeGrand totaled 115 tackles from his middle linebacker spot and rushed for 980 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2007.
. He saw action as a fullback against special teams.
in New Meadowlands Stadium
. The 6'2", 275 lbs. defensive tackle attempted to tackle Malcolm Brown of the opposing team. They collided, and LeGrand lay on the ground for several minutes before being carted off, apparently only able to move his head. 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. About two weeks later he was transferred to Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
, one of the nation's leaders in spinal cord rehabilitation. On January 6, 2011, Rutgers announced that LeGrand had regained movement in his shoulders and sensation throughout his body. In July 2011, LeGrand tweeted photos of himself standing upright and announced that he was steadily regaining movement in his arms.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player. He played for the Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
Scarlet Knights
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are the athletic teams that represent Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey...
.
High school
From AvenelAvenel, New Jersey
Avenel is a census-designated place and unincorporated area within Woodbridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 17,552...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, he attended high school at Colonia High School
Colonia High School
Colonia High School is one of three four-year comprehensive public high schools that serve students in ninth through twelfth grades from Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Woodbridge Township School District. The other two high schools in...
. LeGrand was a four-year starter for coach Ben LaSala. LeGrand totaled 115 tackles from his middle linebacker spot and rushed for 980 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2007.
Freshman year
A true freshman defensive lineman, LeGrand's first year in college was in 2008. He made his collegiate debut against the North Carolina Tar HeelsNorth Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State...
. He saw action as a fullback against special teams.
Sophomore year
A backup defensive tackle to Charlie Noonan, LeGrand appeared in all 13 games in the 2009 season. He had 33 tackles on the season.Injury
On October 16, 2010, LeGrand suffered a severe spinal injury during a game against the Army Black KnightsArmy Black Knights
Army Black Knights is the name of the athletics teams of the United States Military Academy. They participate in NCAA Division I-A as a non-football member of the Patriot League, a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school, and a member of Atlantic Hockey, the Collegiate Sprint...
in New Meadowlands Stadium
New Meadowlands Stadium
MetLife Stadium is a stadium in the New York City Metropolitan Area, part of the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and is adjacent to the site of the former Giants Stadium, which was home...
. The 6'2", 275 lbs. defensive tackle attempted to tackle Malcolm Brown of the opposing team. They collided, and LeGrand lay on the ground for several minutes before being carted off, apparently only able to move his head. He was taken to the intensive care unit
Intensive Care Unit
thumb|220px|ICU roomAn intensive-care unit , critical-care unit , intensive-therapy unit/intensive-treatment unit is a specialized department in a hospital that provides intensive-care medicine...
of the Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack University Medical Center is a 775-bed non-profit, research and teaching hospital located seven miles west of New York City, in Hackensack, New Jersey, providing tertiary and healthcare needs for northern New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area...
, in Hackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and the county seat of Bergen County. Although informally called Hackensack, it was officially named New Barbadoes Township until 1921. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 43,010....
, where doctors determined that LeGrand was paralyzed from the neck down. About two weeks later he was transferred to Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation is a division of the Select Medical Corporation that provides physical medicine and rehabilitation programs and services. There are currently three inpatient rehabilitation facilities located throughout New Jersey. On June 1, 2010, Kessler Institute for...
, one of the nation's leaders in spinal cord rehabilitation. On January 6, 2011, Rutgers announced that LeGrand had regained movement in his shoulders and sensation throughout his body. In July 2011, LeGrand tweeted photos of himself standing upright and announced that he was steadily regaining movement in his arms.
Recovery
A fund named "BELieve" has been set up by the Rutgers Scarlet Knight family with proceeds going to Eric LeGrand and his family. The "BELieve" foundation has raised proceeds through selling sporting apparel stitched with LeGrand's name and number (52) as well as hosting numerous sporting events in LeGrand's honor.See also
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights footballRutgers Scarlet Knights footballThe Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represents Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision play...
- 2010 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team2010 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football teamThe 2010 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represented Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Scarlet Knights were led by head coach Greg Schiano in his 10th season. They played their home games at Rutgers Stadium and are members...
- Rutgers UniversityRutgers UniversityRutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
- Mihai NeşuMihai NesuMihai Mircea Neșu , is a former Romanian football player, who played most of his career for Steaua București. He also played for FC Utrecht. His career came to an end when he suffered a bad neck injury.-Steaua București:He signed his first professional contract in 2001 with Steaua București...