For the first time since suffering a devastating spinal cord injury in mid-October, Rutgers’ Eric LeGrand has granted an interview to a member of the media.
And, by all appearances, LeGrand has made tremendous strides since a hit covering a kickoff against Army left him paralyzed and, initially, with little hope of ever walking again.
According to a press release issued by the school, LeGrand told ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi that he has full sensation in his entire body and movement in his shoulders. Rinaldi spoke to LeGrand at the Kessler Institute in West Orange, N.J., where he is in rehabilitation; the full interview will air Friday morning during SportsCenter.
From the release:In the feature, LeGrand said while lying on the field at the New Meadowlands, he had “the fear of death” and that he “could pass out and die here.” He added he couldn’t do “a thumbs up” motion while on the stretcher when he was removed from the field because it felt like “1,000 pounds was on this thumb” when he tried to move it.
Doctors initially believed that he would not regain any feeling or movement below the neck, but LeGrand has exceeded their expectations. His paralysis has been diagnosed as incomplete and he has been able to breathe on his own without the use of a ventilator since late November.
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said about LeGrand, “He believes that he’s going to be up and moving again. There’s no doubt in his mind.”