Perhaps it is appropriate that a week filled with scandal news and reports will see a special moment that will bring smiles to our faces and perhaps a tear in the eye. Rutgers will formally retire Eric LeGrand‘s No. 52 this Saturday when the Scarlet Knights host Eastern Michigan. Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood made the announcement during The American’s summer media day event in Rhode Island in July. LeGrand has taken everything that has happened since his career ending injury in stride, and as you might expect by now he is not taking the honor of having his uniform number retired without a great sense of appreciation and gratitude.
“You know how I am — I don’t think I’ll get too emotional,” LeGrand said in a story published by MyCentralJersey.com. “But it’s going to be a great day, it’s going to be a great feeling, and I’m ready to talk to the crowd. I can’t tell you what my message will be yet, but it’s going to be a good one.”
LeGrand suffered a spinal cord injury in a game against Army in 2010, paralyzing him from the neck down. LeGrand has worked to regain some control over his body and has served as an inspirational story for Rutgers fans and the entire college football world. LeGrand’s uniform will be the first to be retired in the history of the Rutgers football program, but Flood has said the day LeGrand has the ability to walk again the uniform number will come out of retirement and used as a special uniform number within the program, used to honor one special individual or leader.
This is a tremendous honor for LeGrand, but after a scandal-filled week we can all soak it in as well.