Eric LeGrand, the Determined Buccaneer: 'I Will Rise from This Chair'

Eric LeGrand was the show-stopper Wednesday night at ESPN's ESPY awards.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneer was there to receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance and, once again, LeGrand proved he is truly inspirational.

LeGrand received a huge standing ovation from the crowd. He deserved it. He recounted that horrible moment on the football field in the Rutgers-Army game when he realized something terrible occurred.

"Is this the end of my life right here?," he told the audience. He told them that his coach, Greg Schiano, stood close to him and told him to pray. "I started praying like Coach Schiano told me to," LeGrand recalled.

He spoke eloquently of the daily battle he faces. "I never thought anything like that would happen to me," he admitted. He thanked so many who have helped him and spoke of the support he has received from everywhere in the country. 

His message was simple and to the point:

"Don't take anything for granted. Be the best person you can be."

Then he made that wonderful promise:

"I will rise from this chair."

The late Jim Valvano sent his "never give up message" so long ago that still resounds today.

LeGrand echoed him.

"I will never give up."

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