Former Rutgers player Eric LeGrand inspires Patriots, Saints

FOXBORO — Eric LeGrand, paralyzed while playing football for Rutgers University in 2010, visited the joint practice with the Patriots and Saints Wednesday morning, speaking with the players after the workout.

"Eric has inspired me from a distance," said Patriots defensive end Chris Long. "I know I speak for a lot of guys when I say that. I remember watching that game, or seeing the highlights of it immediately after, and when you hear about something like that you just pull for the guy and certainly it could be anybody out here playing football.

"What he's done, it's unimaginable because you try to put yourself in that position and you just can't and you think you'd be so down on yourself. He's done a tremendous job of inspiring others and bringing other people into the fold. He talks about getting a double amputee to run the Boston Marathon. He's inspired a lot of people including us."

Players and coaches from both teams gathered around LeGrand as a light rain fell over the practice fields following Wednesday's workout.  When asked about his message, Patriots players lit up.

"Phenomenal," said Malcolm Mitchell, a rookie out of the University of Georgia. "Truly inspiring. Makes you look back at your life and see some of the things you might complain about and they're not as big of a problem as you might perceive them to be. Other people are battling and overcoming things much greater than some things that you're going through."

"I've heard of his story from the ESPYs and just seeing him on TV and stuff," said quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. "I've never met him in person. To meet a guy like that - it's pretty amazing what he's doing. Very, very inspirational. His goal, I've heard from some of the Rutgers guys, is to eventually walk off the field at MetLife (Stadium). That's... more power to him. That's unbelievable."

Five players who attended Rutgers are currently on the Patriots roster - Jonathan Freeny, Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Logan Ryan and Kevin Snyder.

Brandon Coleman, a wide receiver for the Saints, also played at Rutgers.

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