Rutgers Can't Get Out Of Their Own Way (UPDATED: LeGrand Speaks After All)

((HT: NJ.com/Duggan))

This is really classy... and the HQ hopes you can sense the sarcasm dripping from the text...

Condoleezza Rice was set to give a commencement address on campus, but that idea was getting blowback. SO the school does an amazing thing- comes up with the idea of Eric LeGrand to give the speech...

Fantastic idea... unbelievable kid...

So, what does the university do...??? Cancel LeGrand telling him that they "decided to go in another direction for political reasons."

What in the blue hell does that mean...???

"I just want an explanation," LeGrand told NJ.com in a phone interview. "I wish somebody would have given me a call tonight and explained to me why. Then I can understand, but don't just leave me hanging."

Athletics Director Julie Hermann calls and tells him that Governor Tom Kean was selected instead...

Great going, Rutgers...
You had an issue with this...
((HT: ESPN))


PM UPDATE: This release came from the university this afternoon... an amazing backpedal...

Eric LeGrand will speak at our Commencement and personally receive his degree from me as a representative of the Class of 2014.

It was never our intention that Eric would be the only speaker. We have resolved that miscommunication and are delighted to have him participate.

Eric holds a special place in the hearts of the Class of 2014 and the entire university community. We are thrilled that he will be joining us on stage to make this special occasion even more memorable.

Unbelievable... but not...

Give 'em hell, Eric...

Rutgers Retires LeGrand #52

As it should be...

Full disclosure...

The HQ is a proud member of Eric LeGrand support groups and has been ever since we started covering his comeback from paralysis acquired in a football game as he played for Rutgers...

Yesterday, Rutgers did a good thing...

The school had a ceremonial knighting of LeGrand where his 52 was retired...

Ceremony here...
((HT: ESPN))


And Eric's words here...


An example we all should follow...

Rutgers To Retire #52 In Honor Of Eric LeGrand

Eric LeGrand

Rutgers has never retired a jersey number in the programs 144 year history, that's about to

change.

Jason Baum, Senior Associate Director For Communications for Rutgers Athletics send the following tweet:

BREAKING NEWS: @KyleFloodRU announces @RFootball will retire its first jersey number as @EricLeGrand52 No. 52 will never be worn again
— Jason Baum (@JasonBaumRU) July 30, 2013

That was followed by the following tweet from LeGrand:

What an honor thank you @RFootball this means the world to me pic.twitter.com/k0T15iS82h
— Eric LeGrand (@EricLeGrand52) July 30, 2013

LeGrand, a former defensive tackle for the Scarlet Knights, was paralyzed in a game against Army on October 16, 2010 making a tackle.

The class and positive attitude that LeGrand has exhibited facing this life challenge has been an inspiration, especially those here at the OSG HQ.

Baum added that once LeGrand begins walking again his number 52 will only be worn on special occasions.

Lolo Jones Doesnt Know Who Eric LeGrand Is... And Finds Out Too Late...

Hurdler Lolo Jones trash-talked about head injuries to Eric LeGrand after he "challenged" her to a race on Twitter.

When she responded, it was obvious that she had no idea who LeGrand was...

After LeGrand tweeted to Jones "want to race me?", she came back with: "Get Checked for a concussion. Clearly, u've been hit in the head... Cos u arnt beating a track athlete."

When people broke the news to her about LeGrand and his story, Jones knew she was in trouble: "Great I'm gonna get murdered for that tweet. When I had no clue who that dude was.Just responding to any athlete who challenges me to a race."

Yeah, that was about right...

LeGrand later tweeted: "didnt take it personal,understand where ur coming from.All good."

His most recent tweet about the whole thing came this afternoon...

This stuff between @lolojones is ridiculous, she is a great person who misunderstood what I tweeted. People stop bashing her it's not right

And this is what we knew Lolo for before the Twitter War that she lost big...
((HT: NBC News))


Oops... again...

LeGrand Gets Jimmy V Award

((HT: ESPN))

In addition to Pat Summitt getting the Arthur Ashe Award last night at the four-letter's own awards night, the HQ admits they went two-for-two...

Current Tampa Bay Buc Eric LeGrand received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for his fight to walk again after becoming paralyzed playing for Rutgers and his head coach Greg Schiano. Schiano made a point to draft LeGrand in this year's draft...

Here's the LeGrand presentation...


The HQ believes in LeGrand as should you... check out what's going on in the right-hand margin...

LeGrand Signs With Bucs

In a classy move by his old college coach, Tampa Bay Bucs head coach Greg Schiano signed former defensive end Eric LeGrand to a free agent contract...

LeGrand had a simple message on his Twitter page this morning...

We ready!!!

Followed with a helmet of his new team...

If you want to keep track of Eric and his efforts, click on the picture in the right-hand margin...

"It's a symbolic gesture. They can't give me any money with the salary cap and all that kind of stuff," LeGrand said in a conference call. "It's symbolic, something coach wanted to do and I appreciate that. It just shows the man that he is."

The HQ couldn't be more proud...
More when we know more...

Believe 52: LeGrand Makes Statement At Rutgers-WBGV

And all he had to do was come out onto the field...

Carrying the axe across his motorized wheelchair, Rutgers DE Eric LeGrand led the Scarlet Knights out onto the field for their game against West Virginia yesterday.

Here's what he's been up to in the past year...
Taking our jobs...
((HT: NJ.com))


But, Saturday, his next chapter in chopping was front and center...
((HT: GameDayESPN))


Rutgers got out to a big lead early, but the Mountaineers held Rutgers scoreless in the second half to win a Big East game...

If you're interested in learning more about Eric and his efforts, click on the banner on the right-hand side of the page...

Keep Choppin'

Eric LeGrand's Journey Continues...

((HT: ESPN))

More coolness... that's all the HQ is going to say...
Kevin Neghandi sits down with 52...


Keep Choppin'