1. Eric LeGrand became paralyzed while making a tackle in an October 2010 game, but has since regained movement in his shoulders and sensation throughout his body.
34 Facts About Eric LeGrand
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In 2017, Eric LeGrand was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as the third recipient of the Warrior Award.
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In 2008, as a true freshman, Eric LeGrand made his collegiate debut against the North Carolina Tar Heels on September 11.
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Eric 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.
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Schiano saw him as a multipurpose player, and Eric LeGrand proved himself to be with 13 tackles on kickoff coverage in his sophomore season.
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Eric LeGrand recorded a tackle for loss in seven games, and played eleven games where he had multiple sacks.
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Eric LeGrand went on to tie his career-high four tackles against the Maryland Terrapins.
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On October 16,2010, Eric LeGrand had severe spinal cord injury during a game against Army in East Rutherford, New Jersey, at MetLife Stadium.
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Eric LeGrand was credited with the tackle, but he lay on the ground for several minutes before being carted off, unable to move anything but his head and unable to breathe.
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Eric LeGrand 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.
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Eric 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.
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The next day when Eric LeGrand woke up, he managed to mouth the words "I'll be back" to his mother.
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Eric LeGrand wanted to breathe at his own pace and asked doctors to take him off of his ventilator on Thanksgiving 2010.
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Eric LeGrand proceeded to practice breathing without the use of medical equipment and was independently breathing by January 2011.
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In 2012, thinking his story was fairly well-known, Eric LeGrand jokingly sent a Tweet to Lolo Jones challenging her to a race.
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On May 14,2014, she and Eric LeGrand participated in a race called the Wings for Life World Run, held around the world, with proceeds going toward funding spinal cord injury research.
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Eric LeGrand resumed his studies via Skype for the Spring 2011 semester and made multiple appearances at spring football practices.
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Eric LeGrand officially announced his retirement from football on July 26,2012, to free up a roster spot for the team.
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Eric 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.
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Eric LeGrand appeared alongside Justin Tuck of the New York Giants in commercials throughout the 2012 season.
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Eric LeGrand joined a team of Subway-sponsored athletes including Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps and Apolo Anton Ohno.
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All of our athletes who know Eric LeGrand are already rooting for him.
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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.
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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.
25.
In 2020, Eric started building a coffee shop in his hometown called LeGrand Coffee House.
26.
In March of 2023 Eric Legrand began a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey company in partnership with Brian Axelrod.
27.
In June 2012, Eric LeGrand was presented the Unsung Hero Award by the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
28.
Eric LeGrand was presented the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 20th annual ESPYs on July 11,2012.
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The Rutgers Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the establishment of the Eric LeGrand Believe Fund to support him and his family.
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The money will be used as the Eric LeGrand family sees fit.
31.
On May 18,2014, Eric LeGrand received a degree in labor relations from Rutgers and was asked to speak to his fellow graduates at Rutgers' spring commencement exercises.
32.
On March 13,2017, professional wrestling and media company WWE announced that Eric LeGrand would receive the Warrior Award at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony on March 31,2017.
33.
In both The Victorious Story of Eric LeGrand 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.
34.
Eric LeGrand has a sister named Nicole LeGrand Harrigan, and his grandmother is Betty LeGrand.