Rutgers to retire Eric LeGrand’s No. 52
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Rutgers will retire the jersey number of paralyzed former player Eric LeGrand...
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Rutgers will retire the jersey number of paralyzed former player Eric LeGrand.
“We’re excited to be able to do that for him and his family,” coach Kyle Flood said Tuesday at American Athletic Conference media day. “It will be a great day, not just for Rutgers football, but for the LeGrand family and everybody that’s associated with us.”
LeGrand and his No. 52 will be honored in a ceremony Sept. 14 when Rutgers plays at home against Eastern Michigan. It will be the first number retired in the history of the program.
“What an honor thank you @RFootball this means the world to me,” LeGrand posted on his Twitter account.
LeGrand broke two vertebrae in October 2010 while making a tackle on a kickoff return against Army. He’s had to use a wheelchair since leaving the hospital, but has made enough progress in his rehabilitation to stand upright with the help of a metal frame.
LeGrand is going into his third season as an analyst for Rutgers radio broadcasts.
Flood said that when LeGrand walks again, the number will be unretired.
“I told him I know you’re going to do that,” Flood said. “And then that number will become a significant number in our program again to be worn only on special occasions and by certain people. There’s no doubt in my mind that that day will come.”
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
