Eric LeGrand was a defensive tackle at Rutgers University until he suffered a career ending spinal cord injury. Since then he has been signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, won the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2012 ESPYs, had his number 52 retired by the Rutgers Football team and was named the Most Influential Person in New Jersey Sports by the Star Ledger. Eric's number retirement ceremony. The first and only number retired in school history. It has been 6 years to the day since Eric LeGrand suffered a career-ending, and life-altering spinal cord injury while making a tackle on a kick-off late in the game against the Army Black Knights at Met Life stadium. I was on the sideline that game working as a student manager for the Rutgers football team. I had my eye off the field for a moment, but when I heard the impact and the roar from the crowd, I remember immediately turning around and seeing Eric on his back with his legs awkwardly raised in the air. There was a feeling of eeriness like I had never seen before as an athlete or spectator. First on the scene, Athletic Trainers, Mike Pawlusiak (left) and Dave McCune (right). I can't stress the importance of Athletic Trainers enough!!! When I learned that extent of the Eric's injury after the game, I didn't even know what to say or do. Eric's injury occurred in the middle of my darkest days recovering from my traumatic brain injury. I was constantly feeling bad for myself and struggling to find an identity outside of the sport of football. Eric's injury really hit home hard for me, because we both experienced the two of the worst possible things that could happen to you during a football game. A feeling of guilt quickly came over me during this time because I could still do things that Eric wished he could, like throw the football and lift weights, among a list of countless other things most of the world takes for granted. This is a
