Here is a unique event coming up in Hoboken featuring Rutgers football player Eric Legrand who is making the most out of his life after suffering a severe injury playing football that left him paralyzed in 2010 organized by Rory Chadwick of Midtown Authentic….

Eric Legrand bELieve Fund Fundraiser

at Turtle Club 936 Park Avenue, Hoboken

Saturday, March 9, 2013 1:30pm until 3:30pm

On March 9th, 2013 from 1:30pm to 3:30pm come to the Turtle Club at the corner of 10th and Park in Hoboken, NJ and hang out with Eric Legrand to raise money for Eric’s Believe Fund.

On October 16, 2010, LeGrand suffered a severe spinal injury during a game against the Army Black Knights at Met Life Stadium, home to both the New York Giants and the New York Jets. On a kickoff to Army, LeGrand collided with the ball carrier, Malcolm Brown. LeGrand was credited with the tackle, but he lay on the ground for several minutes before being carted off, apparently only able to move his head.

As the gurney rolled off the field, Eric tried to force a thumbs up to the crowd to tell them that he was alright. The strongest player on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team, a man who could squat 605 pounds, could not manage to signal to the crowd that he was alright by lifting his finger. LeGrand said that; “It felt like a thousand pounds”.

He was taken to the intensive care unit of the Hackensack University Medical Center, in Hackensack, New Jersey, where doctors determined that Eric was paralyzed from the neck down. He fractured his C3 and C4 cervical vertebrae.

Eric was put on a respirator right away to help him breathe, and doctors informed his mother that he would more than likely need the aid of the machine to continue breathing for the rest of his life. Doctors also informed Karen LeGrand that her son had a suspected 0-5% chance of walking for the rest of his life. The next day when LeGrand woke up, he managed to mouth the inspiring words; “I’ll be back,” to his mother.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Eric on May 2, 2012. The Buccaneers are coached by Greg Schiano, who was the Rutgers head coach during LeGrand’s playing career. Schiano agreed to become the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 26, 2012. Eric officially announced his retirement from football on July 26, 2012 to free up a roster spot for the team

To date, Eric has proven the doctors wrong, he now breathes without a respirator and is moving his upper body around more than ever, recently Eric’s thumbs started moving. Just this past year, Eric received the Jimmy Valvano award for Perseverance at the ESPY’s. On March 9th, were asking all the bELievers out there to come to the Turtle Club and hang out with Eric and many other former Rutgers players who are now in the NFL or have retired from the game. There will be food, drink, and tons of prizes will be raffled off. There will be a small silent auction as well.

Tickets will be made available at www.hobokenturtleclub.com in just a few days. Tickets will be available in 2 tiers. General admission for the day is $52. This includes entry, free food and a Christopher Reeve Foundation “BELIEVE #52″ bracelet. Mingle with Rutgers fans and NFL stars, meet Eric and have a fun time. We will also offer a limited amount of VIP tickets which will be $152. This includes everything with the general admission as well as a 30 minute half happy hour meet and greet with Eric. Eric will also sign your personal item for you (Eric uses a sharpie marker with his mouth, his penmanship is far better than most of us actually)

Prizes for the raffle / silent auction are pouring in and a list will be made available shortly. Already donated is the chance to have lunch with NY Giants Linebacker Mark Herzlich, cancer survivor and former Boston College standout. Signed balls, helmets, jerseys, game worn items and much more to be announced shortly.

- Rory Chadwick

Midtown Reporter