On a breezy autumn afternoon in 2010, little did I know that everything in my life was about to change. The date was Saturday, October 16th and I was only eleven years old at the time. On this day, although my life was about to be significantly altered, I did not realize it until about two years later. However, the life of former Rutgers defensive tackle, Eric LeGrand, changed within an instant that day as well.
The stadium that day was filled; fans cheering on their beloved football team occupied pretty much all 54,000 seats. It was an afternoon game, Rutgers vs. Army. The game was tied at 17 to 17 and Rutgers was lining up for a fourth quarter kick off return. As Malcom Brown, the offensive Army player caught the ball, the kickoff line from Rutgers began to sprint down the field trying to reduce the amount of yards gained by the opposing team, Rutgers. Eric, a part of the kickoff team on the Rutgers football team, set his eyes on Brown, and bolted towards him. As Eric inched closer to Brown, little did he know that these would be his last steps on a football field, or anywhere in that matter. “Oh, what a great open field hit by Eric LeGrand, who is shaken up on the play,” recalled the game announcer up in the media box. Eric lied there on the field, motionless.
After nine hours of an immediate spine operation, doctors notified Karen, Eric’s mother, that Eric had fractured his C3 and C4 vertebrae in his spine and he is now a paralyzed quadriplegic. Eric lied unconscious for four days until he finally woke up on Wednesday. Although Eric was just becoming aware of this new situation that he would have to deal with, Karen never let any negative energy enter the room. Everything that was told to Eric must be put positively. Now, I imagine this must have been quite difficult when you are trying to explain to someone that they are paralyzed from their neck down for the rest of their life. However, Karen managed to keep Eric’s hopes and outlook very positive.
It was about two years later that I even first heard Eric Legrand’s name. An eleven year old girl does not pay much attention to what is going on in the sports world, let alone the real world at all. The date was December 19th, 2012 and my family was attending a charity event that was held at Pole Position Race Way in Jersey City along with my two best friends and their family. The charity event was to benefit Eric along with the New York Jets. As soon as I saw Eric at the event, I was immediately drawn to him, filled with curiosity. I asked my mom who he was and why he was sitting motionless in a wheelchair. My mom told me a brief summary of what had happened to him and from the moment I heard his story, I was very intrigued.
I went home after that charity event in 2012 and sat on my computer for hours. I researched so much about Eric LeGrand finding articles, videos, news broadcasts and more. As I learned more and more about his story, one thing struck me about him. Though a paralyzed quadriplegic at the age of twenty and all the reason in the world to sulk and be very negative, Eric was never like this. His bubbly, positive, and outgoing personality just in the videos I watched on YouTube intrigued me. I wondered, How could someone in such a severe situation never complain or become depressed with his injury? Because of this, I made it my mission to help Eric in any way possible. I wanted to make a difference not only in his life, but also in the lives of every single person living with paralysis.
Coincidentally, I have a deal with my dad that if I receive straight “A’s” on my report card, he will reward me with $500. Knowing this, I strived for that money in the upcoming marking period in school so I would be able to donate it to Eric for all he has to go through. I made sure to think of Eric every time I studied instead of hanging out with friends or watching television. Thankfully so, all of my hard work paid off and when my report card came at the end of that marking period, I had received all “A’s.” Like promised, my dad gave me the $500. I decided to write a letter along with sending the money to Eric to inform him why I was donating this money to his foundation.
About three months later, on my way back from my annual check up at the doctor’s, my phone rang. I looked down at my buzzing phone and saw a phone number I did not recognize. However, as if fate was in my favor, I answered the phone. “Hello is this Remy?” a voice called out through the cell phone. “Yes, and who is this?” I answered. “Hi Remy, It is Eric LeGrand,” the now familiar voice responded. I was speechless. Tears of joy fled from my eyes and I did not know what to say. Throughout the phone call, Eric thanked me so much for my donation and hard work put into earning the money. He talked about how he would love to meet me and how much he appreciated what I had done for him. Shocked, speechless, and unable to respond, Eric and I ended our phone conversation and decided to finish talking over text.
From that day on, Eric and I have stayed in close contact. I have met up with him several times including going to the New York Giants game with him and my family, meeting with him at charity events, seeing him every year for the Rutgers Annual “A Walk To bELieve” in his name, texting pretty much weekly, etc.
October 16th, 2010; A day that changed my life forever as well as former Rutgers football player, Eric LeGrand. After my first time even seeing Eric, I became so inspired by the person he has become, despite his critical injury. Since his injury, Eric has finished college with a degree, broadcasts for the Rutgers football games, got signed to an NFL contract by his former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, regained some neurological function, goes to therapy every single day for four hours to rehabilitate, and motivationally speaks around the country. Aside from all of that though, he has inspired so many others just like me to never give up and that if you set your mind to something, anything is possible.