Rutgers Football Player Eric LeGrand Says He'll Walk Again

Saying "It's a blessing" and "I'm going to walk again one day. Keep praying," Rutgers University football player Eric LeGrand was honored Tuesday night in a small, 30-minute ceremony with family and friends at the West Orange township council chambers.

The township declared Tuesday "Eric LeGrand Day" in honor of LeGrand's determination, said William Sullivan, of West Orange, who led the effort.

Sullivan, a Rutgers University Law School graduate, said he gathered other residents of West Orange during the past several months to develop Tuesday's honor for LeGrand.

LeGrand suffered a spinal injury in October during a game against the Army Black Knights that left him paralyzed from the neck down. He's been recovering at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange.

"A lot of us in the West Orange community felt that when Eric was transferred to Kessler, he became a part of our community and we wanted to find a way to become supportive," said Sullivan.

LeGrand said he could not talk to reporters, but did tell the audience he's thankful to the township. "I would like to thank everybody out here in this town," he said. "It was just the greatest of opportunities to come out here. I would like to thank Rutgers ... and everybody in West Orange."

His mom, Karen, said she's thankful to his fans. "You've helped us in ways you can't imagine," she said tearfully. "Eric will walk again."

West Orange Council President Sal Anderton said the township is pleased to honor the football player.

"Eric and his mom have been residents of West Orange and they're going to leave us soon ... we're all very optimistic and we're pleased to have them with us," he said.

West Orange Mayor Robert Parisi said he's glad the community came together for LeGrand.

"Tonight, we celebrate Eric," he said to applause. "For a lot of us here, it may be a very long time before any of us talk again, but what you're leaving for us tonight is the inspiration of the human spirit."

Todd Greineder, Rutgers' chief of staff for the football program, called the ceremony "awesome" and that it's "those days that make hard days for Eric easier to bear."

"This was a very difficult event and ... it's people like you that were instrumental to get things done," he told the township council and audience. "We believe Eric will walk... It's going to be a long process for Eric ... we hope you believe in prayer."

Bonnie Evans, Kessler's chief executive officer, said LeGrand's recovery has been "tremendous."

"I'm just so impressed by him and his hope and belief in the future," she said. "He's been extremely motivated and that's half the battle."