Buccaneers sign Eric LeGrand (1 Viewer)

[sports_fan]

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 Schianio 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.http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7881254/tampa-bay-buccaneers-sign-injured-rutgers-dt-eric-legrand-symbolic-gesture

 

[Kleck]

Cool thing to do.

 

[Wu-banger]

Knowing how inept / idiotic the NCAA is , would this not allow LeGrand to be around the Rutgers team in some fashion this fall since he is still in school ?

 

[Da Guru]

Never know how things will work out. Kevin Everett made a nice recovery.

 

[NJDawgPound]

Schiano always took care of him since the injury.

 

[Prussian]

Great gesture.

 

[identikit]

Awesome!

 

[RUSF18]

Knowing how inept / idiotic the NCAA is , would this not allow LeGrand to be around the Rutgers team in some fashion this fall since he is still in school ?

NFL players are around college players regularly. They just can't interact with recruits. It's obviously a great gesture but as a Rutgers guy - and I'm being admittedly selfish about this - I wish Schiano would have let the school keep this story. The MFer has stolen everything and everyone else.

 

[beavers]

Knowing how inept / idiotic the NCAA is , would this not allow LeGrand to be around the Rutgers team in some fashion this fall since he is still in school ?

NFL players are around college players regularly. They just can't interact with recruits. It's obviously a great gesture but as a Rutgers guy - and I'm being admittedly selfish about this - I wish Schiano would have let the school keep this story. The MFer has stolen everything and everyone else.

It's not about the school. It's about Eric LeGrand

 

[Grahamburn]

This new regime is making me love my team even more. Great job guys.

 

[Premier]

Knowing how inept / idiotic the NCAA is , would this not allow LeGrand to be around the Rutgers team in some fashion this fall since he is still in school ?

NFL players are around college players regularly. They just can't interact with recruits. It's obviously a great gesture but as a Rutgers guy - and I'm being admittedly selfish about this - I wish Schiano would have let the school keep this story. The MFer has stolen everything and everyone else.

It's not about the school. It's about Eric LeGrand

Exactly. I am sure the Bucs will be giving him a nice paycheck as well. Sure it goes a long way for him.

 

[comfortably numb]

Knowing how inept / idiotic the NCAA is , would this not allow LeGrand to be around the Rutgers team in some fashion this fall since he is still in school ?

NFL players are around college players regularly. They just can't interact with recruits. It's obviously a great gesture but as a Rutgers guy - and I'm being admittedly selfish about this - I wish Schiano would have let the school keep this story. The MFer has stolen everything and everyone else.

Huh?Don't get this thinking at all

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

Knowing how inept / idiotic the NCAA is , would this not allow LeGrand to be around the Rutgers team in some fashion this fall since he is still in school ?

NFL players are around college players regularly. They just can't interact with recruits. It's obviously a great gesture but as a Rutgers guy - and I'm being admittedly selfish about this - I wish Schiano would have let the school keep this story. The MFer has stolen everything and everyone else.

Huh?Don't get this thinking at all

ill keep it at that

 

[meanjoegreen]

Knowing how inept / idiotic the NCAA is , would this not allow LeGrand to be around the Rutgers team in some fashion this fall since he is still in school ?

NFL players are around college players regularly. They just can't interact with recruits. It's obviously a great gesture but as a Rutgers guy - and I'm being admittedly selfish about this - I wish Schiano would have let the school keep this story. The MFer has stolen everything and everyone else.

It's not about the school. It's about Eric LeGrand

Exactly. I am sure the Bucs will be giving him a nice paycheck as well. Sure it goes a long way for him.

LeGrand said the Bucs aren't paying him anything. It was just a nice symbolic gesture by Schiano.

 

[RUSF18]

Knowing how inept / idiotic the NCAA is , would this not allow LeGrand to be around the Rutgers team in some fashion this fall since he is still in school ?

NFL players are around college players regularly. They just can't interact with recruits. It's obviously a great gesture but as a Rutgers guy - and I'm being admittedly selfish about this - I wish Schiano would have let the school keep this story. The MFer has stolen everything and everyone else.

Huh?Don't get this thinking at all

ill keep it at that

Part of being a fan is being irrational. I'm not asking others to "get it". I know I'm being an ###, don't worry.

 

[Don Quixote]

Knowing how inept / idiotic the NCAA is , would this not allow LeGrand to be around the Rutgers team in some fashion this fall since he is still in school ?

NFL players are around college players regularly. They just can't interact with recruits. It's obviously a great gesture but as a Rutgers guy - and I'm being admittedly selfish about this - I wish Schiano would have let the school keep this story. The MFer has stolen everything and everyone else.

Huh?Don't get this thinking at all

I'm a Rutgers guy too and grew up in Piscataway. I don't get it either. I think it's great.

 

[beavers]

Knowing how inept / idiotic the NCAA is , would this not allow LeGrand to be around the Rutgers team in some fashion this fall since he is still in school ?

NFL players are around college players regularly. They just can't interact with recruits. It's obviously a great gesture but as a Rutgers guy - and I'm being admittedly selfish about this - I wish Schiano would have let the school keep this story. The MFer has stolen everything and everyone else.

Huh?Don't get this thinking at all

ill keep it at that

Part of being a fan is being irrational. I'm not asking others to "get it". I know I'm being an ###, don't worry.

Lame excuse for being an ###.

 

[Premier]

Knowing how inept / idiotic the NCAA is , would this not allow LeGrand to be around the Rutgers team in some fashion this fall since he is still in school ?

NFL players are around college players regularly. They just can't interact with recruits. It's obviously a great gesture but as a Rutgers guy - and I'm being admittedly selfish about this - I wish Schiano would have let the school keep this story. The MFer has stolen everything and everyone else.

It's not about the school. It's about Eric LeGrand

Exactly. I am sure the Bucs will be giving him a nice paycheck as well. Sure it goes a long way for him.

LeGrand said the Bucs aren't paying him anything. It was just a nice symbolic gesture by Schiano.

I read somewhere earlier that they were. Was probably speculation.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Cool story, although they shouldve given him a 1yr contract. Otherwise its just a nice PR move by them that costs nothing. Why not do it?

Chances he makes the practice squad?

 

[bigums]

Really didn't like Schiano as a college coach, but it seems like everything I read now makes me believe he's a real stand up guy and strong male role model. Is there a conflicted smiley?

 

[sports_fan]

Eric LeGrand’s Jersey Will Be No. 52May 2nd, 2012When the Bucs signed the defensive lineman from Rutgers, Eric LeGrand, to a contract today, it brought about more love for the team, both locally and nationally, then Joe has seen since Chucky hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy aloft in victory.As Joe wrote about earlier, LeGrand’s story is inspirational if not a heart-tugger.Though LeGrand will not take up a roster spot, he is essentially a member of the Bucs family. Joe also learned his number will be No. 52, the same number he wore for the Scarlet Knights.Not coincidently, this news was released on May 2. You know, 5/2?Now Joe has been bombed with questions about buying his jersey. Of course, one could customize a jersey with LeGrand’s name and number. But for the NFL to sell a jersey of a guy who is not on an active roster, they gets a little dicey as far as all sorts of agreements and legalities between the NFL, the NFLPA and NIKE. So Joe isn’t sure if one can ever purchased an official NFL LeGrand jersey.(For example, in baseball, you cannot order an Albert Pujols Cardinals customized jersey because, of course, Pujols is with another team.)Joe has communicated with someone within the walls of One Buc Palace and team officials are overwhelmed with the positive response from fans querying about buying a LeGrand jersey.Joe has a hunch if the Bucs can sell a LeGrand jersey, the team will, and don’t be surprised if proceeds go towards some group of LeGrand’s choice.http://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=66109

 

[SWC]

this is pretty cool and it is good to see injured people who have been through a lot like with a closed head injury for example although i know this dude had a spinal injury finally getting a little respect with there whiskey this type of stuff is no laughing matter and it is great to see a team like the bucs step up and be a leader in dealing with a guy who left it all and then some on the field so good for them even though i still hate warren sapp take itto the bank brohans