Eric LeGrand Will Speak At Rutgers Graduation
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers University says paralyzed former football player Eric LeGrand will speak at the university's commencement after all.
LeGrand had tweeted Monday night that the university offered him the speaking job, but then rescinded it "for political reasons."
On Tuesday, Rutgers President Robert Barchi said LeGrand would speak but would not give the only address. Barchi says there was a "miscommunication" about the speeches, and "it was never our intention that Eric would be the only speaker."
LeGrand was paralyzed during a 2010 football game and his recovery has become a rallying point for the university.
Rutgers announced Monday that former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean would give the keynote address on May 18 as a replacement for former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She decided not to speak after student and faculty protests.
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