The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand.
Legrand hasn't played a down since 2010 when he was paralyzed during a game with Army. Buccaneer's coach Greg Schiano was his coach then.
This would have been LeGrand's draft year and that was apparently weighing heavily on Schiano's mind. So the new NFL coach signed LeGrand, who has become a national inspiration after his horrific injury.
Legrand was told he would never breathe on his own. But he is.
LeGrand was told that he would never walk again. But he has stood on his own two legs, steadying himself between metal bars.
Last October, a wheel-chair riding LeGrand led his team on to the field for a home game. He was on the field for Senior Day activities in November. A photo of his return to the football field was on the cover of "Sports Illustrated's" 2011 year-end issue -- voted by "S-I" readers as the "Moment of the Year."
Schiano told the "Tampa Bay Times" that the signing of LeGrand is "the least we can do to recognize his character, spirit, and perseverance."
The "Times" says a number 52 Buccaneer Jersey, a Bucs helmet and a contract are being shipped to LeGrand in New Jersey. 52 was LeGrand's number at Rutgers.
The "Times" points out that it's probably no coincidence that he was drafted on May 2... 5-2.
