Eric LeGrand: Rutgers pulled commencement speech offer

Former Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand is a renowned member of the school's alumni, and was recently offered the opportunity to perform the commencement at the university's commencement ceremony on May. 18. 

LeGrand suffered a horrific injury while playing for Rutgers in 2010, which left him paralyzed,. 

To honor his perseverance and determination, LeGrand received a call from president Robert L. Barchi's chief of staff, Gregory Jackson, offering him the opportunity to speak a the commencement. 

"Saturday I get a call from Greg Jackson and they offered me the job to give the commencement speech," LeGrand stated via USA TODAY Sports. 

I was like, 'Wow, thanks for the opportunity,' and he said, 'Let's touch base Monday and talk about it.' So I was telling my friends and family, everybody was so excited." 

While starting to prepare for his speech on Monday, LeGrand received another phone call from Rutgers, and was informed the school opted to go in a different direction regarding the commencement speech. 

President Barchi had selected former New Jersey governor Thomas H. Kean to deliver the speech, causing LeGrand to express his disappointment. 

"I'm very upset about it. I was all excited all weekend thinking about what I was going to say. It's rough." 

The former defensive tackle graduated in January, but admitted he might not attend his graduating ceremony. 

"I wasn't planning on going (to the graduation ceremony) until they offered me (the speaking duty). I know that President Barchi wants to hand me my degree but now I'm hesitant. I fell like they offered me, and then changed their mind. I don't know why."