He became paralyzed while making a tackle in an October 2010 game, but has since regained movement in his shoulders and sensation throughout his body.

In 2008, as a true freshman, LeGrand made his collegiate debut against the North Carolina Tar Heels on September 11.

By 2009, coach Greg Schiano decided to channel LeGrand's strength and speed at a new position, defensive lineman.

LeGrand added three solo tackles, including a tackle-for-loss against West Virginia on December 5 and at Syracuse on November 21.

[3] In 2010, LeGrand's junior season, he proved to be a crucial performer at defensive tackle in the first six games before suffering a career-ending spinal cord injury.

[3] On October 16, 2010, LeGrand had severe spinal cord injury during a game against Army in East Rutherford, New Jersey, at MetLife Stadium.

As the gurney rolled off the field at MetLife Stadium, LeGrand tried to force a thumbs up to the crowd but was unable to perform the gesture, saying "it felt like a thousand pound cinder block was holding me down".

On October 29, LeGrand returned with his teammates for a Rutgers home game against West Virginia during a snow storm.

[2] By Summer 2011, LeGrand took his story more public by posting pictures of himself on his Twitter account, standing straight up with the help of a specialized metal frame and announcing that he was slowly regaining movement and sensation in his arms.

[4] In 2012, thinking his story was fairly well-known, LeGrand jokingly sent a Tweet to Lolo Jones challenging her to a race.

At the Scarlet-White spring game, he expressed his aspiration to become a sports broadcaster, and he has continued to become an inspirational speaker nationwide.

LeGrand joined a team of Subway-sponsored athletes including Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps and Apolo Anton Ohno.

[9] Tom Pace of Subway's marketing office stated that; "We believe his inspirational story resonates with our fans.

Peter Berg, Doug Ellin, and Teri Weinberg were executive producers on the series, which launched digitally on FoxSports.

[10] In March of 2023 Eric Legrand began a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey company in partnership with Brian Axelrod.

To honor Eric’s Rutgers jersey number 52, $5.20 of every sale goes to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

[16] The Rutgers Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the establishment of the Eric LeGrand Believe Fund to support him and his family.

[17] The Believe Fund's goal is to raise money to support the paralyzed player as he undergoes medical treatment for the injury he had against Army.

It has been stated by Rutgers and LeGrand that when he is able to walk onto the field again, they will unretire the #52 and put it back into rotation for a worthy player.