Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand was paralyzed below the neck after making a tackle during a game against Army, and he will remain hospitalized for the near future.
Coach Greg Schiano said Sunday that LeGrand was resting in the intensive care unit at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. He had emergency surgery overnight to stabilize the spine after making the tackle during Saturday’s game at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
“Eric’s spirits were as good as you can expect,” said Schiano, who visited with him before and after surgery. “He was cognizant of me being there, his mom, everybody. He’s a fighter.”
Schiano, who had tears in his eyes during his news conference following Rutgers’ 23-20 overtime victory, talked to his team about Le-Grand at noon on Sunday.
“As I talked to our team, we’re just going to believe that Eric LeGrand is going to walk onto that field again with us,” Schiano said. “That’s what we believe. We’ll see with the speed of which that happens.”
LeGrand was hurt with 5:10 to play in the fourth quarter, making a violent tackle on Malcolm Brown on the kickoff return after Rutgers tied the score at 17-17.
LeGrand, a junior, lay on the field at least five minutes while medical and emergency personnel treated him and players on both teams took a knee and watched. Army coach Rich Ellerson walked on the field at one point and put his hand on Schiano’s shoulder to comfort him.
