Rutgers Retires Eric LeGrand's No. 52 Jersey - East Idaho News
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Rutgers Retires Eric LeGrand’s No. 52 Jersey

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7 30 13%20LeGrand%20A?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1379187479683Patrick McDermott/Getty Images(PISCATAWAY, N.J.) — The birthplace of college football now has its first retired jersey.

Eric LeGrand became the first player in the 144-year history of Rutgers football to have his jersey retired at halftime of a 28-10 win over Eastern Michigan.

The No. 52 jersey was unveiled on the upper level box at High Point Solutions Stadium where the game is filmed.  Afterwards, LeGrand addressed the crowd, asking them to support research to find a cure for paralysis, a cause he has joined by forming “Team LeGrand.”

“Help me get back on my feet and walk again,” LeGrand said. “Always remember each and every day — believe! It’s in me and it’s in you guys, too.”

Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood presented the 23-year-old LeGrand a sword with the word “believe” inscribed on it.

“A family sticks together and a family stays together and there has been no more important person in our program than Eric,” Flood said.

LeGrand was paralyzed from the neck down back in 2010 while making a tackle on a kickoff in a game against Army at the Meadowlands.

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