Rutgers retires Eric LeGrand's number

Eric LeGrand will become the first Rutgers football player to have his number retired, the school announced Tuesday.

LeGrand, who has been paralyzed from the neck down since suffering a spinal cord injury while making a tackle during an Oct. 16, 2010, game against Army, tweeted his appreciation.

“What an honor,” LeGrand said on his verified Twitter account, “thank you @RFootball this means the world to me.”

The tweet included an image featuring his No. 52 Rutgers uniform and information on the retirement ceremony, which will take place on Sept. 14 when the school hosts Eastern Michigan.

Last year, LeGrand’s coach at the time, Greg Schiano, signed the Scarlet Knights defensive tackle to a symbolic contract after taking over as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.