Rutgers University defensive tackle Eric LeGrand suffered a spine injury after he tried to make a tackle in the fourth quarter during the University's game with Army on Saturday.
LeGrand, who is a junior from Avenel, N.J., underwent emergency surgery Saturday night at Hackensack University Medical Center and is currently in intensive care unit.
Rutgers won the Saturday's game against Army by capitalizing on overtime but LeGrand's injury has dampened the spirits of the students.
LeGrand was injured when he bumped with Army’s Malcolm Brown on a kickoff after Rutgers tied the score at 17-17 in the fourth quarter of the game, which was played at New Meadowlands Stadium. It looked like that the top of LeGrand’s helmet hit Brown’s left shoulder near the 25-yard line. He fell to the ground with a stiff body and had to be carted off the field on a gurney.
There are concerns about his medical condition as he is still in intensive care and only detailed tests will reveal his chances of playing again with the team. Spinal injuries are the most dreaded affair amongst football players as they could be life crippling.
“Eric LeGrand is going to walk onto that field with us. That’s what we believe,” Coach Greg Schiano said on his injury.
Adam Taliaferro, who was the ace cornerback of the Penn State in 2000, has offered his support to LeGrand given his personal experience of recovering from a spinal injury. He will speak with LeGrand after the latter recovers from the initial effects of the surgery.
