Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand is currently paralyzed from the neck down after a brutal tackle in the fourth quarter of the game against Army at the New Meadowlands Stadium on Saturday (October 16)- watch graphic video below.

Eric’s helmet knocked into opponent Malcolm Brown’s left shoulder on a kick off before Eric collapsed motionless on the field. Paramedics rushed to his side and recognized the severity of the injury. Eric is currently hospitalized in the intensive care unit at the Hackensack University Medical Center.

“Eric’s spirits were as good as you can expect,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said in a teleconference Sunday. “He was cognizant of me being there, his mom, everybody. He’s a fighter.”

Schiano believes Eric, “a special guy and a guy who really loves to play the game”, can recover citing the case of Penn State cornerback Adam Taliaferro, who was able to walk after a spinal cord injury.

“We’re going to believe. Eric LeGrand is going to walk onto that field with us. That’s what we believe,” Schiano said. Eric will have to win a tough battle, but we must believe he can do it. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eric and his family.

Rutgers Player Eric LeGrand Injury Graphic Video