Annual ‘Walk to Believe’ is Can’t-Miss Event – Scout

The inspirational Eric LeGrand spoke with Scarlet Report about why A Walk to Believe is such an important part of his life.

Not only is Rutgers icon Eric LeGranda believer, but the paralyzed former football player is a dreamer.

While $32,000 raised from more than 300 donors toward spinal-cord research is an accomplishment, LeGrand envisions a day where towns close and fans flock to A Walk to Believe. A $125,000 donation is the goal as A Walk to Believe remains a must-participate event for Rutgers fans.

As I continue to go through this now six-and-a-half years after my injury, I meet people that are spinal-cord injured, said LeGrand, whose injury took place in 2010 during a kickoff. There are more stories every day and the stories aren't going away. That's the sad part about it. That's why we need to find a cure for this, so everybody can be able to walk again.

The 2017 Walk to Believe takes place Sunday, June 4at his former football home High Point Solutions Stadium. The annual event raises funds and awareness toward the research and treatment of spinal-cord injuries.

Whether it be by organization or individual, LeGrand fans continue to make a difference. From his home-town Colonia High School to fans like Gavin Maguire, who 74 percent of the way to his fitting $5,200 fundraising goal, LeGrand welcomes all levels of support.

Online donations represent a portion of money raised but walk-up donations and participants on June 4 are equally meaningful, LeGrand said.

We've got way more schools involved than we've ever had in the past, LeGrand said. Each year, more people are stepping up to the table to either give more money or get more sponsors on board. It's another year to raise more money. I like to make a difference. One day, I want to make this a huge event and get the whole Rutgers University involved. We have the means to do it, we just need the help and the media support to keep getting it out there to everybody.

LeGrand's message and spinal-cord began with a 10-person media gathering in Jackson, N.J., in April of 2011. Now, LeGrand's vision is global.

Right here in New Jersey, people always have each other's back, LeGrand said. It's everywhere you go in the world. When I was at the NXT TakeOver event, people were screaming 'yo, New Jersey' at me. You know that Jersey love is everywhere. Knowing that Rutgers and New Jersey supports me, they're family. That's where I'm from.

http://www.scout.com/college/rutgers/story/1762501-wwe-tabs-eric-legrand...

WWE enshrined LeGrand into its 2017 Hall of Fame Class alongside legendary performers Kurt Angle, Diamond Dallas Page, the Rock N Roll Express, Rick Rude, Beth Phoenix and Teddy Long.

It's actually been crazy, LeGrand said. Everywhere I go now, people are yelling about it. I was in Times Square and people were coming up to me about the WWE Warrior Award. And at (Monday Night) RAW, forget it. The exposure from them has been insane.

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Annual 'Walk to Believe' is Can't-Miss Event - Scout