Eric LeGrand was a standout defensive tackle at Rutgers University with dreams of playing in the NFL. However, on October 16, 2010 LeGrand suffered a spinal cord injury while defending a fourth-quarter kickoff return against Army.
The initial prognosis was bleak and the trajectory of LeGrand’s life was immediately and forever altered. LeGrand hunkered down though, bringing an amazing level of energy, optimism, hard work, determination, and strength to his rehabilitation process.
LeGrand started out paralyzed from the neck down, but consistently smashed the expectations of his medical team. Within three months of sustaining the spinal injury, LeGrand had regained movement in his shoulders and “full sensation” throughout his body, according to the Newark Star Ledger.
The Woodbridge, NJ native refused to quit, pouring himself completely into his rehab, getting involved with paralysis-related charities, and embarking on several exciting entrepreneurial endeavors.
The first task LeGrand tackled was to become a published author. “Believe: The Victorious Story of Eric LeGrand” came out in September 2012, and “Believe: My Faith and the Tackle that Changed My Life” was published in August 2013.
In September 2013, Team LeGrand was formed as a fundraising faction for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. During the nearly 10 years that Team LeGrand has been working with the Reeve Foundation, they’ve raised more than $2 million.
“The Reeve Foundation has done so much for the paralysis community, and they
are dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by advancing research,” LeGrand told OSDB Sports. “I get calls on a weekly basis from people who have recently become paralyzed. Of course, it is not easy revisiting what I’ve been through, but I have a strong support system that I depend on and I try to be that type of support system for
others. My main goal is to spread awareness that just because you are paralyzed does not mean you can’t live your life to the fullest.”
LeGrand backs up his words with action.
Shop Fifty Two is the clothing brand LeGrand created in 2019, based on his jersey number and his desire to be a “roll model”. In 2021, LeGrand Coffee House hit the scene, and now the serial entrepreneur has his own podcast and is rolling out Eric LeGrand Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
“We’ve had the goal to Launch Eric LeGrand Bourbon for about two years now, the same amount of time it takes for our liquid to be perfected in the barrels,” LeGrand reported to OSDB. “It has been a long but rewarding process, getting to try
many different samples, eventually landing on the final product.
“Creating a great bourbon does not happen overnight. A lot goes into it legally, and with the liquid itself, it takes time and patience to age to perfection. I knew I wanted to be in the game for the long haul, so it’s been well worth it.
“I’d describe our brand as a premium bourbon that holds its own. It is very versatile and approachable; it mixes well with cocktails or on its own to sip. It was key for me to have the product distilled and bottled in Owensboro, Kentucky, for authenticity. We wanted the liquid to be perfect, and we were lucky that we got a taste that we loved rather quickly. There were several tasting sessions, however my partner Brian Axelrod let me know that when you taste liquid gold you will know. We struck gold.”
LeGrand still maintains a strong connection with Rutgers University, and continues to motivate the nearly six million Americans who are dealing with some form of paralysis.
The central focus for LeGrand at present is spreading awareness and helping to fund research about paralysis, while putting out sensational coffee and bourbon brands. Of course, a portion of the proceeds from LeGrand Bourbon goes to the Reeve Foundation.
“Eric LeGrand Kentucky Bourbon is a proud partner of Rutgers Athletics,” LeGrand told OSDB. “Many of the coaches have tasted the product and have been very vocal about how much they love the bourbon. Our goal is to eventually be available in all major arenas, including MetLife, where the injury took place in 2010.”
“No matter what you’re going through, there are always people that have it worse than you. Your life is not measured by your challenges, but how you handle adversity. Work hard and enjoy the life you have. I’ve got a wonderful support system behind me, but I have to give myself some credit, too. I have always had a positive attitude and I am lucky to have my mom and a team who push me in the right direction. I constantly surround myself with experts in all different fields to build an unstoppable team.”
“I was never afraid of taking a leap of faith and wanted to venture into the Whiskey business to emphasize that people with paralysis can still enjoy the finer things in life, like a great bourbon.”
Cheers to that. Eric LeGrand Kentucky Bourbon is currently available for direct purchase in Kentucky and New Jersey, and can also be shipped to most other states.
