TAMPA, Fla. — In a move by his former college coach to honor his arduous recovery from paralysis, former Rutgers defensive lineman Eric LeGrand was signed Wednesday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Calling LeGrand’s recovery “an inspiration to many,” the Buccaneers said LeGrand has been added to their 90-man offseason roster.
“Leading up to the draft, I couldn’t help but think that this should’ve been Eric’s draft class,” said head coach Greg Schiano, who left Rutgers for the Buccaneers earlier this year.
“This small gesture is the least we could do to recognize his character, spirit, and perseverance. The way Eric lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Buccaneer Men.“
The 21-year-old LeGrand, a former defensive tackle for the Scarlet Knights, was left paralyzed from the neck down after a collision on a kickoff against Army in October 2010.
“This is honestly a blessing from above. I love you all keep following people believe we will make this happen,” LeGrand wrote on Twitter to his nearly 40,000 followers.
Since the injury, LeGrand has made steady progress in his rehabilitation, and maintains the goal of someday walking again. He is planning to graduate next fall with a degree in labor studies from Rutgers.
“My goal is to walk,” LeGrand said in a conference call, according to CBS Sports.
LeGrand said he can now sit up for about 15 minutes by himself, calling it a “miracle” that he has been able to progress to this point. When he was injured, doctors told him it was unlikely he would ever be able to breathe on his own again, but he was taken off the ventilator after five weeks.
LeGrand leading the Rutgers team onto the field for an October game was voted by Sports Illustrated as its 2011 Moment of the Year.