In a symbolic gesture, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed injured Rutgers Football player Eric LeGrand.

ESPN reports that the move was spearheaded by former Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano, who recently made the jump to the National Football League, taking over for ousted Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris this season.

LeGrand was a standout defensive tackle before sustaining a career-ending injury on Oct. 16, 2010 in a game against Army. Since then, LeGrand continually defied expectations, showing courage and tenacity in his recovery. While his original prognosis said that he would remain fully paralyzed for the rest of his life, LeGrand has shown miraculous improvement and has even stood with support from a brace.

“Leading up to the draft, I couldn’t help but think that this should’ve been Eric’s draft class,” Schiano told ESPN. “This small gesture is the least we could do to recognize his character, spirit and perseverance. The way Eric lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Buccaneer Men.”

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