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Saturday may have had some struggles for Rutgers football, but the induction of Eric LeGrand into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame is certainly a huge moment for the program.
LeGrand, one of the most inspirational athletes in the world and now the entrepreneur behind LeGrand Coffee, received the loudest cheer from the crowd at SHI Stadium when the five honorees were recognized on Saturday as part of homecoming weekend.
Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano wasn’t able to watch the halftime recognition of LeGrand on the field as he was in the locker room with his team. But he still understood the significance of the moment.
“I think that’s really special. It’s well-deserved and really represents what Rutgers, what I believe Rutgers is all about. Just hard-working, tough, relentless people. Eric represents that better than anyone I’ve ever met. His positive outlook on life, even though he’s been dealt the worst hand you can imagine, that just says everything to me,” Schiano said after the game.
“When I heard that had happened, [I was] really, really happy for him and his family. Like I said, well-deserved.”
LeGrand and the four other honorees were celebrated for their impact on the university at a Friday night gala event at the Hilton East Brunswick. The four other additions to this year’s Hall of Fame class are Essence Carson (women’s basketball), Jonelle Filigno-Hopkins (women’s soccer), Alexis Gunzelman (women’s gymnastics) and James Ford (men’s lacrosse).
LeGrand, who suffered a spinal injury in 2010 that ended his football career, signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012 when Schiano was named the NFL team’s head coach.
Rutgers lost to Michigan State on Saturday 31-13. The Scarlet Knights are now 3-3 (0-3) this season.