Prayer Service Held For Paralyzed Rutgers Football Player
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBS 2) -- A community-wide rally was held on campus Thursday night for a paralyzed Rutgers football player.
On Thursday night, hundreds of students and members of the Rutgers community rallied together in the College Avenue Gym for prayer and to show their support for Eric LeGrand, reports CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez.
"I'm here because I'm a true believer of faith, and I do believe that Eric's going to walk one day," student Raymond Targbe said.
"This is really bringing us together, and we can only hope [for] the best for Eric," another student, Anthony Rossi, said.
The entire Rutgers football team showed up to lead prayers, share stories and to foster hope for the defensive tackle.
"He's a fighter," Rutgers head football coach Greg Schiano said. "He is going to do this thing; God's going to be there for him, and Eric's is going to do this thing, I promise you that."
On October 16, LeGrand was paralyzed below the neck after making a tackle in a game against Army. He remains hospitalized, and his future on the football field remains unknown.
The numbers who packed the gym on Thursday night, however, stand as proof that number 52 won't be tackling the challenge alone.
"Coming together like this is just showing not only the strength of the university but the strength of the community, the strength of the families that really believe that he shall rise and walk," Rutgers parent Vanetta Hill said.
Eric's aunt, Cheryl Curet, who represented his family at the services, said the prayers have lifted his spirit.
"He smiles. He's constantly saying, 'thank you, tell them thank you,'" Curet said. "He's very grateful, and every little thing – we read him the letters that are coming to the hospital – every little thing, he appreciates."
