Buccaneers sign Eric LeGrand

C Mart · 05-02-2012, 10:25 AM

Great, classy move!!

TAMPA, Fla. -- In a symbolic gesture, the [URL="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/tam/tampa-bay-buccaneers"]Tampa Bay Buccaneers[/URL] signed Rutgers defensive tackle [URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/382171/eric-legrand"]Eric LeGrand[/URL], whose career was ended by a spinal cord injury, on Wednesday morning.

LeGrand played for Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers. In an Oct. 16, 2010 game against Army, LeGrand suffered fractures of two vertebrae and a spinal cord injury.

LeGrand initially was told he would be a quadriplegic and would have to remain on a ventilator. Five weeks later, LeGrand began breathing on his own. Later, he became able to stand upright with the aid of a metal frame.

LeGrand resumed his studies last spring. He led the Scarlet Knights onto the field for an Oct. 29, 2011 game and has remained very close with Schiano.

"Leading up to the draft, I couldn't help but think that this should've been Eric's draft class," Schiano said. "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 Bucs also decided to make the signing on May 2, to symbolize LeGrand's college number (52).

LeGrand is planning to graduate next fall with a degree in labor studies.

[URL]http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7881254/tampa-bay-buccaneers-sign-injured-rutgers-dt-eric-legrand-symbolic-gesture?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter[/URL]

crossfire · 05-02-2012, 10:26 AM

Classy move by Schiano and the Bucs.

sg3 · 05-02-2012, 10:32 AM

great move by Schiano

now watch the Jackasses of the NCAA revoke any of his remaining scholarship at Rutgers because he is a "professional"

Joe W. Namath · 05-02-2012, 10:39 AM

Nice move by Schiano.

jetsonly · 05-02-2012, 10:41 AM

[QUOTE=sg3;4457176]great move by Schiano

now watch the Jackasses of the NCAA revoke any of his remaining scholarship at Rutgers because he is a "professional"[/QUOTE]

Agree
I could see the NCAA doing something classless like that.

Porgyman · 05-02-2012, 10:52 AM

Very nice move by Schiano and the Bucs.
I had the opportunity to meet LeGrand last year before the Pinstripe Bowl. The entire Rutgers team was taking a tour of the World Trade Center Memorial...and they were waiting for their team buses in my office building lobby. I walked up to LeGrand, introduced myself and offered my congrats on the Sports Illustrated recognition. He was an incredibly humble, personable guy. We spoke for about 5 minutes and I could tell...this guy is headed for a really bright future in life.

Sourceworx · 05-02-2012, 10:58 AM

High class move by Schiano and the Bucs. Very cool.

NPTJET53 · 05-02-2012, 11:05 AM

[QUOTE=sg3;4457176]great move by Schiano

now watch the Jackasses of the NCAA revoke any of his remaining scholarship at Rutgers because he is a "professional"[/QUOTE]

If he is signed by Tampa, wouldn't he be receiving pay? If the scholarship is based on financial need, why would he still [U]need [/U]the scholarship?

FF2® · 05-02-2012, 11:06 AM

Great move by the Bucs.

I'm surprised sg3 didnt say he's better than most of the Pats draft picks.

David Harris · 05-02-2012, 11:15 AM

Damn near teared up. Nice work Coach.

Bonhomme Richard · 05-02-2012, 11:27 AM

[QUOTE=FF2®;4457233]Great move. he's better than most of the Pats draft picks.[/QUOTE]

+1

Good for LeGrand, that's awesome. It'd be cool if the Bucs sold his jersey.

Dupe · 05-02-2012, 11:51 AM

It’s good Tampa is not on our schedule this season. He’d be a tough match up for Hunter.

10PennyToColes87 · 05-02-2012, 11:54 AM

[QUOTE=Dupe;4457308]It’s good Tampa is not on our schedule this season. He’d be a tough match up for Hunter.[/QUOTE]

Kinda wrong, but still lol-worthy.

Classy gesture by Schiano, for sure.

SMC · 05-02-2012, 12:05 PM

Classy move.

[QUOTE=NPTJET53;4457231]If he is signed by Tampa, wouldn't he be receiving pay? If the scholarship is based on financial need, why would he still [U]need [/U]the scholarship?[/QUOTE]

I don't think he's getting any money out of this. It's like a 1 day contract for a vet to retire with the team.

GMCJETS · 05-02-2012, 12:15 PM

What a classy move by Greg Schiano and the Buccaneers organization.

It puts so much in perspective about life and football. Congrats Eric!

quantum · 05-02-2012, 01:54 PM

[QUOTE=Bonhomme Richard;4457272]+1

Good for LeGrand, that's awesome. It'd be cool if the Bucs sold his jersey.[/QUOTE]

:rofl: for the edit

greenwichjetfan · 05-02-2012, 02:03 PM

Cool move, but what does this do? Does this make LeGrand feel better that he was signed to a one day contract even though he unfortunately will never get to play again?

I think it'd be cooler if they signed him to a one year league minimum contract, which would pay him something, or if they sold his jerseys and gave him a cut as Paulie mentioned...but this doesn't do a single thing. It might actually have an unintended negative reaction to LeGrand's way of thinking.

IHATEDOLPHINS · 05-02-2012, 04:59 PM

[QUOTE=Dupe;4457308]It’s good Tampa is not on our schedule this season. He’d be a tough match up for Hunter.[/QUOTE]

Dude,I laughed out loud.That's friggin great:D

LeonM · 05-02-2012, 05:10 PM

Extremely classy move by the Bucs. Great job Schiano.

05-02-2012, 10:25 AM	#1
C Mart Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 21,314	Buccaneers sign Eric LeGrand Great, classy move!! TAMPA, Fla. -- In a symbolic gesture, the [URL="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/tam/tampa-bay-buccaneers"]Tampa Bay Buccaneers[/URL] signed Rutgers defensive tackle [URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/382171/eric-legrand"]Eric LeGrand[/URL], whose career was ended by a spinal cord injury, on Wednesday morning. LeGrand played for Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers. In an Oct. 16, 2010 game against Army, LeGrand suffered fractures of two vertebrae and a spinal cord injury. LeGrand initially was told he would be a quadriplegic and would have to remain on a ventilator. Five weeks later, LeGrand began breathing on his own. Later, he became able to stand upright with the aid of a metal frame. LeGrand resumed his studies last spring. He led the Scarlet Knights onto the field for an Oct. 29, 2011 game and has remained very close with Schiano. "Leading up to the draft, I couldn't help but think that this should've been Eric's draft class," Schiano said. "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 Bucs also decided to make the signing on May 2, to symbolize LeGrand's college number (52). LeGrand is planning to graduate next fall with a degree in labor studies. [URL]http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7881254/tampa-bay-buccaneers-sign-injured-rutgers-dt-eric-legrand-symbolic-gesture?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter[/URL]

05-02-2012, 10:26 AM	#2
crossfire Day by day, night after night... Blinded by the neon light Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 5,706	Classy move by Schiano and the Bucs.

05-02-2012, 10:32 AM	#3
sg3 REX AND THE I-MAN - BACK ON TRACK Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The Big Apple, USA Posts: 20,860	great move by Schiano now watch the Jackasses of the NCAA revoke any of his remaining scholarship at Rutgers because he is a "professional"

05-02-2012, 10:39 AM	#4
Joe W. Namath Darrell Bevell for HC in 2014. All Pro Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 7,866	Nice move by Schiano.

05-02-2012, 10:41 AM	#5
jetsonly Rookie Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 680	[QUOTE=sg3;4457176]great move by Schiano now watch the Jackasses of the NCAA revoke any of his remaining scholarship at Rutgers because he is a "professional"[/QUOTE] Agree I could see the NCAA doing something classless like that.

05-02-2012, 10:52 AM	#6
Porgyman Practice Squad Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 270	Very nice move by Schiano and the Bucs. I had the opportunity to meet LeGrand last year before the Pinstripe Bowl. The entire Rutgers team was taking a tour of the World Trade Center Memorial...and they were waiting for their team buses in my office building lobby. I walked up to LeGrand, introduced myself and offered my congrats on the Sports Illustrated recognition. He was an incredibly humble, personable guy. We spoke for about 5 minutes and I could tell...this guy is headed for a really bright future in life.

05-02-2012, 10:58 AM	#7
Sourceworx Hall Of Fame Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 13,451	High class move by Schiano and the Bucs. Very cool.

05-02-2012, 11:05 AM	#8
NPTJET53 God hates Jets fans Practice Squad Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 432	[QUOTE=sg3;4457176]great move by Schiano now watch the Jackasses of the NCAA revoke any of his remaining scholarship at Rutgers because he is a "professional"[/QUOTE] If he is signed by Tampa, wouldn't he be receiving pay? If the scholarship is based on financial need, why would he still [U]need [/U]the scholarship?

05-02-2012, 11:06 AM	#9
FF2® Believes Sloppy Guy was involved JetsInsider.com Legend Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 46,577	Great move by the Bucs. I'm surprised sg3 didnt say he's better than most of the Pats draft picks.

05-02-2012, 11:15 AM	#10
David Harris All Pro Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Murray Hill Posts: 7,100	Damn near teared up. Nice work Coach.

05-02-2012, 11:27 AM	#11
Bonhomme Richard Board Moderator Jets Insider VIP Charter JI Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 4,174	[QUOTE=FF2®;4457233]Great move. he's better than most of the Pats draft picks.[/QUOTE] +1 Good for LeGrand, that's awesome. It'd be cool if the Bucs sold his jersey.

05-02-2012, 11:51 AM	#12
Dupe Undrafted Free Agent Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 230	It’s good Tampa is not on our schedule this season. He’d be a tough match up for Hunter.

05-02-2012, 11:54 AM	#13
10PennyToColes87 What the did you just say about me, you little *? Hall Of Fame Join Date: May 2005 Location: SoFla Posts: 15,417	[QUOTE=Dupe;4457308]It’s good Tampa is not on our schedule this season. He’d be a tough match up for Hunter.[/QUOTE] Kinda wrong, but still lol-worthy. Classy gesture by Schiano, for sure.

05-02-2012, 12:05 PM	#14
SMC Day-to-day Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 22,041	Classy move. [QUOTE=NPTJET53;4457231]If he is signed by Tampa, wouldn't he be receiving pay? If the scholarship is based on financial need, why would he still [U]need [/U]the scholarship?[/QUOTE] I don't think he's getting any money out of this. It's like a 1 day contract for a vet to retire with the team.

05-02-2012, 12:15 PM	#15
GMCJETS Been there done that. Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 5,658	What a classy move by Greg Schiano and the Buccaneers organization. It puts so much in perspective about life and football. Congrats Eric!

05-02-2012, 01:54 PM	#16
quantum GFY Snatchez! Hall Of Fame Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: LI Posts: 18,031	[QUOTE=Bonhomme Richard;4457272]+1 Good for LeGrand, that's awesome. It'd be cool if the Bucs sold his jersey.[/QUOTE] :rofl: for the edit

05-02-2012, 02:03 PM	#17
greenwichjetfan All League Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,091	Cool move, but what does this do? Does this make LeGrand feel better that he was signed to a one day contract even though he unfortunately will never get to play again? I think it'd be cooler if they signed him to a one year league minimum contract, which would pay him something, or if they sold his jerseys and gave him a cut as Paulie mentioned...but this doesn't do a single thing. It might actually have an unintended negative reaction to LeGrand's way of thinking.

05-02-2012, 04:59 PM	#18
IHATEDOLPHINS growing tired of rex ryan All League Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,028	[QUOTE=Dupe;4457308]It’s good Tampa is not on our schedule this season. He’d be a tough match up for Hunter.[/QUOTE] Dude,I laughed out loud.That's friggin great:D

05-02-2012, 05:10 PM	#19
LeonM Practice Squad Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 480	Extremely classy move by the Bucs. Great job Schiano.