Graduates here at St. Philip's Academy in Newark, N.J., got one final lesson: one of courage and determination taught by a now-famous former Rutgers football player, Eric LeGrand.
LeGrand is used to the applause. As a star player on the Rutgers football team he would often hear the crowd cheering because of his awe-inspiring plays on the field. Now his inspiring words get people on their feet.
"Don't worry about being the best someone else can be" LeGrand said. "Be the best that you can be in your situation."
LeGrand was the commencement speaker here at St. Philip's Academy's 8th grade graduation. The former Rutgers defensive tackle is paralyzed from the neck down after suffering a spinal cord injury during a game in 2010.
"It's kind of like a lesson for us 'cause when we get down he teaches us we can get back up and keep going," said Tahir Covin, a graduate.
Even though the injury kept LeGrand from accomplishing his dreams of playing in the NFL, it didn't change his positive outlook on life.
"I believe everything happens for a reason. If I was playing pro football none of this would have happened you know," he said. "I would have just been another guy in the NFL--kids would have looked up to me but not nowhere near as much as it is now."
A football game changed his life. His example can change theirs.
As students head to high school, LeGrand heads to physical therapy. He showed everyone during his speech how he can now move one of his arms. He has never given up hope that he will one day be able to walk again.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:37 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:37:39 GMT
The cast of an Atlanta sports radio show has been fired after mocking a former NFL player who has Lou Gehrig's disease, a station official said Monday.
The cast of an Atlanta sports radio show has been fired after mocking a former NFL player who has Lou Gehrig's disease, a station official said Monday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:03 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:03:21 GMT
Police in Massachusetts investigating a possible homicide questioned New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Monday, according to a Sports Illustrated report.
Police in Massachusetts investigating a possible homicide questioned New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Monday, according to a Sports Illustrated report.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:05 AM EDT2013-06-18 14:05:52 GMT
They lost three times in three months in one of the most overpowering stretches the NBA has ever seen.Now the Miami Heat have lost three times in five games.
They lost three times in three months in one of the most overpowering stretches the NBA has ever seen.Now the Miami Heat have lost three times in five games.
Monday, June 17 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:20:15 GMT
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:39 AM EDT2013-06-17 13:39:47 GMT
Jason Kidd has had one of the most impressive careers in basketball history. He's now adding another chapter to the story as the new head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. Kidd visited the set of GDNY on Monday and spoke about his new role and what is was like hanging up his jersey for good.
Jason Kidd has had one of the most impressive careers in basketball history. He's now adding another chapter to the story as the new head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. Kidd visited the set of GDNY on Monday and spoke about his new role and what is was like hanging up his jersey for good.
Sunday, June 16 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-06-17 03:08:43 GMT
Manu Ginobili had 24 points and 10 assists in a surprise start to spark the San Antonio Spurs to a 114-104 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBAFinals on Sunday night, pushing the Spurs one victory away from their fifth championship.Danny Green scored 24 points and broke Ray Allen's finals record for 3s in a series with 25.
Manu Ginobili had 24 points and 10 assists in a surprise start to spark the San Antonio Spurs to a 114-104 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBAFinals on Sunday night, pushing the Spurs one victory away from their fifth championship.Danny Green scored 24 points and broke Ray Allen's finals record for 3s in a series with 25.
Sunday, June 16 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-16 20:56:33 GMT
Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a three-run homer that capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning and the New York Mets salvaged what had been shaping up as another sorry afternoon, startling the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday.Matt Garza pitched seven scoreless innings and the Cubs scored twice on a madcap play that featured three bad throws by Mets infielders, giving Chicago a 3-0 lead.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a three-run homer that capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning and the New York Mets salvaged what had been shaping up as another sorry afternoon, startling the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday.Matt Garza pitched seven scoreless innings and the Cubs scored twice on a madcap play that featured three bad throws by Mets infielders, giving Chicago a 3-0 lead.
Sunday, June 16 2013 3:41 PM EDT2013-06-16 19:41:20 GMT
A published report by ESPN says the New York Rangers will hire Alain Vigneault as the club’s next head coach. Vigneault met with Madison Square Garden and team owner Jim Dolan on Friday after interviewing on Tuesday in La Quinta, California with president/general manager Glen Sather.
A published report by ESPN says the New York Rangers will hire Alain Vigneault as the club’s next head coach. Vigneault met with Madison Square Garden and team owner Jim Dolan on Friday after interviewing on Tuesday in La Quinta, California with president/general manager Glen Sather.
Saturday, June 15 2013 10:26 PM EDT2013-06-16 02:26:45 GMT
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira left New York's game against the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth inning Saturday with an aggravated right wrist.Teixeira, who missed the first 53 games of the season with a wrist injury, will be examined by Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad in New York on Sunday.Teixeira flied out to right and fouled out to third before leaving Saturday's game when David Adams replaced him at first base.
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira left New York's game against the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth inning Saturday with an aggravated right wrist.Teixeira, who missed the first 53 games of the season with a wrist injury, will be examined by Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad in New York on Sunday.Teixeira flied out to right and fouled out to third before leaving Saturday's game when David Adams replaced him at first base.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:39 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:39:53 GMT
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund.
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:26:45 GMT
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
Monday, June 17 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:56:27 GMT
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
Monday, June 17 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:20:15 GMT
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
