Day: May 2, 2012

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In wake of Junior Seau’s apparent suicide, a message of hope to those who feel alone

One of my favorite players to watch growing up. Junior Seau was an amazing player and person but it appears that the toll of being an NFL player cost him his life.

When I woke up this morning, I was partially expecting a somewhat OK day at the office. We believed that the Saints “bounty” scandal would reach its decision today but instead I was hit with a wave of emotion with other news.

Before the Saints punishments were handed down, I was blessed to receive a press release detailing the Buccaneers’ decision to sign Eric LeGrand. The story warmed my heart. In fact, reading about it, my eyes started to water.

LeGrand to me has been a great inspiration since I worked on the Rutgers team coverage at Bleacher Report in 2010, the season he was injured. Since then I have followed his progress and to this very day, believe that his attitude in life is what we all should strive for.

I was so joyful in the morning about the news. But it would only be a mere several hours later where my joyful heart would break into a million pieces. News started to circulate that Junior Seau was dead and a flurry of emotion overcame my entire body.

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Buccaneers, Greg Schiano deliver a dream to paralyzed Rutgers star Eric LeGrand

Greg Schiano and Eric LeGrand will forever be linked together.

What a fantastic story. Rutgers DT Eric LeGrand was paralyzed in 2010 while making a tackle in 2010 and since then has remained as an inspiration to the team as he has been recovering from the injury.

Schiano was hired to coach the Buccaneers and remains close with LeGrand. This move by Schiano was simply beautiful.

“Leading up to the draft, I couldn’t help but think that this should’ve been Eric’s draft class,” Schiano said in a release by the Bucs. “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 gesture won’t provide LeGrand a contract to play with the team, but it gives the former Rutgers star an opportunity to realize a dream of being in the NFL.

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