Ex-Penn State DB Adam Taliaferro Running for N.J. Office After Paralyzing Injury

Former Penn State defensive back Adam Taliaferro has made a remarkable recovery from a paralyzing spinal cord injury he suffered 15 years ago on the gridiron.     

After relearning to walk, running a political campaign for full-term public office in November is a challenge Taliaferro seems fully capable of tackling.

The Associated Press' Michael Catalini reported on Sunday that Taliaferro, 33, has those aspirations after he was sworn in to the New Jersey Legislature last week.

New Jersey's Fifth Legislative District tweeted its support for Taliaferro when he joined:

Celeste Riley was the assembly member who stepped down and created the opportunity for Taliaferro to take temporary office. Riley cited Taliaferro's remarkable life story in suggesting he'd indeed earn a full term.

"I think he'll do it. He's a hard worker and people like to have an example of what it means to work hard and face adversity," said Riley, per Catalini.

Taliaferro, who grew up in Voorhees, New Jersey, established the Adam Taliaferro Foundation after he'd recovered from his severe injury, which transpired in a game against Ohio State in September 2000.

The donations given to Taliaferro to help cover his own healthcare costs were what he used to fund the foundation. It is also what led to his branching out into politics.

Mel Evans/Associated Press

Taliaferro told Catalini about how the injury caused him to reassess his goals.

"It 100 percent changed me," he said. "Before my injury what was important to me was my family but also football—it was my dream to play in the NFL. It really teaches you to appreciate everything."

Momentum appears to be accumulating for Taliaferro, and based on what he's overcome, his chances of being a full-term politician during election season seem quite favorable.

Having just been elected as a county freeholder in Gloucester County in 2011, the rise for Taliaferro in the political realm has been rapid. New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney had recommended Taliaferro to run after noticing the work he'd done with his foundation.

In light of his ambitions to push his political dreams further, it seems only a matter of time before Taliaferro's inspirational story and positive influence reaches even more people than it already has.