“An Easy Transition”
May 24th, 2012
Multimedia good guy Rock Riley lugged himself and a BayNews9 videographer up to New Jersey this week to get to know Eric LeGrand, the former Rutgers defensive tackle who was left largely paralyzed after an on-field injury.
Greg Schiano and the Bucs signed LeGrand a few weeks ago in what became a heart-warming national story.
LeGrand has made great physical strides through intense rehabilitation. In the video linked here, you’ll see some of what LeGrand deals with in rehab. The kid has an extraordnary attitude. It’s amazing when he talks of how what he’s going through was “an easy transition” after being a football player for a hard-driving coach. (Caution: Beware of LeGrand’s horrible singing.)
May 24th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
I live out of area now, but I hope this video gets published online in full length once it has aired. Love hearing updates about Eric’s rehab, very inspirational story, and I’m rooting for the kid.
May 24th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
If you follow him on Twitter, you can tell that his outlook is more positive than most. He tweeted about not being able to switch between the hockey and basketball games and called for Samsung to create the smart TV with a hashtag of “Spinalcordproblems.” The dude is amazing for having a sense of humor about his misfortunes. Love him.
May 24th, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Thanks for the great video Joe. Just curious to anyone that may know, I’ve been wondering what that tube is near his mouth in his chair. Does it help him breathe?
May 24th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
LeGrand should have a field pass for life.
I love his positive “get to work” attitude. He has do much heart.
We need 53 guys as mentally tough as LeGrand.
His approach and attitude are very inspiring.
What do you think of this Rutgers product, Eric?
May 24th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
He and Brian Price are on the same level. Really good stuff, Joe. Thanks, you never disappoint.
May 24th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
@Hawaiian It controls the movement of the chair. Its called “sip and puff”.
May 24th, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Hawaiian, I don’t know the answer but definitely seems to assist him breathing. I love this kid. Look at how positive an attitude he has. We could all learn something from him. Mark my words, he will walk again.
May 24th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Have a nice day, thanks. That’s interesting and very cool at the same time.
May 24th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
That’s good to know, I’m glad his breathing is okay. This guy may very well be my favorite player on the Bucs.
May 24th, 2012 at 10:38 pm
He must be an incomplete quad meaning if he’s pushing and pulling his arms forward and backwards and has voluntary muscle twitching then he’s got a great opportunity to progress and regain function which is AWESOME for him. If his injury were complete he wouldn’t be able to move anything below the break, period. Keep up the hard work, Eric! 🙂
May 24th, 2012 at 11:10 pm
Hard choice this year, a Price or LeGrand jersey? Both guys are truly inspirational.
May 24th, 2012 at 11:26 pm
Joe here,
@Hawaiian – Having been around folks in those kinds of chairs, those aren’t breathing tubes for oxygen or anything like that. That’s part of the mechanism that controls the wheelchair.
May 25th, 2012 at 12:35 am
Just curious… Are they selling his 52 jersey? Or do u think they will?
May 25th, 2012 at 2:59 am
@BucFaninHawkeyeCountry:
Legrand posted this on facebook about a week ago:
“Update for the day – my jerseys are in the works by Nike and will be out no later than training camp. Also, working on my first endorsement deal ;-)”
I know I’m buying one!!!
May 25th, 2012 at 9:36 am
I’m in! Can’t wait for him to be the first out of the tunnel come Game 1.
May 26th, 2012 at 8:57 am
Sign me up for a 52 jersey!!