DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Eric LeGrand signed by Tampa Bay

Link

By Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com

TAMPA, Fla. -- In a symbolic gesture, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand, whose career was ended by a spinal cord injury, on Wednesday morning.

LeGrand played for Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers. In an Oct. 16, 2010 game against Army, LeGrand suffered fractures of two vertebrae and a spinal cord injury.

LeGrand initially was told he would be a quadriplegic and would have to remain on a ventilator. Five weeks later, LeGrand began breathing on his own. Later, he became able to stand upright with the aid of a metal frame.

LeGrand resumed his studies last spring. He led the Scarlet Knights onto the field for an Oct. 29, 2011 game and has remained very close with Schiano.

"Leading up to the draft, I couldn't help but think that this should've been Eric's draft class," Schiano said. "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 Bucs also decided to make the signing on May 2, to symbolize LeGrand's college number (52).

LeGrand is planning to graduate next fall with a degree in labor studies.




classy move, in my opinion

Cool story. Great gesture.

1) Great story.
2) How long until some Browns fans are clamoring that we should have drafted this guy?

Great story

Heard this on the radio on the way into work this morning.

Awesome story. Classy move.

Pure class

I found it a bit condescending, myself. Why not just let the guy move on with his life? I'm sure he spends enough time wondering "what could have been." If you really want to do a nice thing for the guy, find a job for him in the organization and do it privately, don't ceremoniously sign him to some bogus contract for zero dollars just to announce to the media what a great guy you are.

it says that Schiano was close to him. he likely ran it by him first and it's quite possible that he wanted it.

i know that i would LOVE to have a NFL contract to hang in a frame with my name on it regardless of how valid it was.

respectfully disagree, but it's not a bad idea either

Now THAT"S football! What a classy story. We don't gotta get this guy, but we do need to wish him success, and luck and tip our hats to Buccs for a fine gesture.

VERY classy, you don't see these kind of gestures very often in pro sport anymore.