WWE to honor former Rutgers player Eric LeGrand with Warrior Award

The award is in honor of former WWE wrestler The Ultimate Warrior

Former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand will be honored by the WWE at it’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 31. The professional wrestling company announced on Monday that LeGrand will be presented with the company’s “Warrior Award.”

“It is an absolute honor to be named the 2017 Warrior Award recipient,” said LeGrand in a release. “I am truly grateful for WWE’s support of my personal journey and I am proud to continue to be an example of strength for people everywhere.”

The award, named after former WWE wrestler The Ultimate Warrior (a personal favorite when I was a child), is given to somebody who “has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior.” The award will be presented to LeGrand by The Ultimate Warrior’s widow, Dana Warrior.

LeGrand was paralyzed from the neck down while playing for Rutgers in 2010. He now serves as an analyst with the Rutgers Football Radio Network and is a motivational speaker.

WWE will also be making a $25,000 donation to Team LeGrand, which is Eric’s charity, and is a part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.