Inspirational visit from LeGrand

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Under the shade of a large tree, Eric LeGrand sat in his motorized wheelchair, taking in the sights and sounds of an NFL training camp.

He watched in awe as Plaxico Burress, Darrelle Revis and LaDainian Tomlinson practiced less than 50 feet from him at the Jets' training complex Thursday afternoon.

"These are like stars to me," he beamed.

But LeGrand's presence was far more thrilling for the Jets.

"Inspirational," Bart Scott said of the Rutgers football player, who was paralyzed from the neck down after colliding with Army's Malcolm Brown, a Bay Shore product, during an October game at New Meadowlands Stadium. In January, LeGrand, 20, regained movement in his shoulders and could feel sensations throughout his body.

Jets linebacker Jamaal Westerman, his friend and former teammate at Rutgers, helped set up LeGrand's visit, which included a brief tour of the training facility and weight room. LeGrand said he's stood up for as long as 45 minutes and his goal is to eventually be able to use a "locomotive training mat" treadmill that will retrain his legs to walk.

LeGrand's recovery struck a chord with Scott, who founded "A Son Never Forgets" in honor of his cousin, who was shot and subsequently paralyzed four years ago. Recently, he decided to make and sell T-shirts with his popular catchphrase, "Can't Wait," to support LeGrand and his family.

Scott, who turned 31 yesterday, said: "And I was like, 'If I'm going to make T-shirts, let's make them about something.' Let's do it for a worthy cause."

"He's been so strong through the process," Scott said. "Life deals us certain things and it's all about how we choose to deal with it, and I think he's embraced it and he's took the challenge on and I think he should be an inspiration to a lot of people."

Scott said 95 percent of the T-shirts are sold out and he hopes to present the proceeds to LeGrand in the next week or two.

LeGrand, who has received an outpouring of well wishes from people in the NFL, including the Giants and Eagles coach Andy Reid, said he's still overwhelmed by the support.

"I don't know how to put it into words," he said. "It's unfortunate I got hurt, but also fortunate at the same time being able to inspire a bunch of people like I've been able to do. It's truly a blessing and very humbling."

Westerman said: "I know he's going to walk one day."

LeGrand is staying positive, too.

"You can't get mad at what happens to you," he said. "Things happen. The only way to get better is to be positive and to fight through it. It's the only way I know how to do it."