Sports
Eric LeGrand Signs Contract With Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Former Rutgers football player who was paralyzed after making a tackle in a game against Army, has signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Eric LeGrand, former Rutgers football player who was paralyzed after making a tackle in a game against Army, has signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers are coached by Greg Schiano, who left Rutgers in late January following 11 seasons on the Scarlet Knights’ sideline and who looked on as LeGrand’s playing career ended prematurely midway through his junior campaign in 2010.
“Leading up to the (NFL) Draft, I couldn’t help but think that this should’ve been Eric’s draft class,” Schiano said in a statement. “This small gesture is the least I could do to recognize his character, spirit, and perseverance. The way Eric lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Buccaneer men.”
Eric LeGrand won’t play for the Buccaneers and it remains unclear what his role will actually be. Had he not suffered fractures of two vertebrae and sustained a serious spinal cord injury in the game against Army almost two years ago, it’s quite possible that Eric LeGrand would’ve been in position to play professionally on his football talents.
After initially being told by doctors that he likely be a quadriplegic and resigned to a ventilator, LeGrand defied the odds and five weeks after surgery resumed breathing on his own. Today, LeGrand can stand upright with the help of a metal frame.
In addition to continuing his rehabilitation, Eric LeGrand will be graduating from Rutgers this fall with a degree in labor studies. He also recently signed a contract with IMG, which is helping him pursue his broadcasting career.
Social Justice
After more than 60 years, a championship HBCU men’s basketball team visits White House
An all-Black Tennessee A&I men’s basketball team won three back-to-back national championships at the height of the Jim Crow era, but were never recognized or invited to the White House. That changed on Friday.
This past weekend, the Tennessee A&I men’s basketball team, an HBCU squad that won a title more than 60 years ago, got a White House visit.
Tennessee A&I made history
The living members of the Tennessee A&I Tigers basketball team were honored by Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House.
“This is the greatest day of my life,” said George Finley, a player on the Tigers team, said to CBS News.
The Tennessee A&I Tigers men’s basketball team was the first HBCU team to win a national championship in 1957, and made history again by becoming the first college team to win three back-to-back national titles from 1957-1959.
“I thought this would never take place,” said Finley, who was part of the 1959 championship team, told the network. “[Winning] the championship was big, but it wasn’t as big as being here with [Vice President] Harris today.”
The challenges
In a time of segregation and the Jim Crow era, Black teams were often not recognized for their achievements but the team finally got their just due.
Harris hosted six members of the team in a meeting along with their family, friends, and those close to the group of former athletes. Henry Carlton, Robert Clark, Ron Hamilton, Ernie Jones, George Finley, and Dick Barnett joined Finley in the Roosevelt Room at the White House.
Tennessee A&I is now known as Tennessee State University.
Sports
South Carolina defeats Iowa 87-75 to win NCAA women’s championship
Dawn Staley and South Carolina Gamecocks completed their perfect season, defeating Iowa with an 87-75 win in the NCAA championship game Sunday.
Dawn Staley and South Carolina Gamecocks completed their perfect season, defeating Iowa with an 87-75 win in the NCAA championship game Sunday.
South Carolina Gamecocks beats Iowa in national championship
This victory not only ended Caitlin Clark’s remarkable collegiate career but also earned South Carolina’s status as one of the ten Division I teams to ever finish a season undefeated. Remarkably, they accomplished this feat with a completely new lineup, as none of last year’s starters, who experienced a defeat against Iowa in the 2023 national semifinals, were present.
Iowa standout
Caitlin Clark, the standout senior from Iowa, put up a noble fight in her final college appearance, aiming to secure the Hawkeyes’ first championship title but ultimately came up short.
In her usual fashion, Clark scored 30 points in the game, breaking the championship record by scoring 18 of those in the first quarter alone. Her talent is unmatched and like Staley said, her legacy is forever cemented as one of the NCAA’S all-time greatest players.
Staley and South Carolina Gamecocks make history
The Gamecocks are now a three time national champion within just eight years, with the last two coming in the past three seasons.
Coach Staley’s impressive coaching prowess has rightfully earned her a spot with legendary coaches like Geno Auriemma, Pat Summitt, Kim Mulkey, and Tara VanDerveer, who have all secured at least three national championships.
Congratulations!
Social Justice
Mike Carey, the first Black Super Bowl referee, wants to continue to give back to the game he loves
Carey candidly spoke with CNN and reflected on the progress in diversity within the NFL officiating community and expressed continued passion for the sport.
Mike Carey, the first Black Super Bowl referee, made history in 2008 during Super Bowl XLII.
He officiated the iconic game where the New York Giants upset the New England Patriots, preventing their historic 19-0 season.
Mike Carey on DEI
In the game, Carey did not call a sack on Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Despite facing criticism, Carey has always stood by his decision.
He also took a stand by refusing to officiate games involving the Washington “Redskins” due to their offensive name, emphasizing the importance of treating everyone with respect.
Carey candidly spoke with CNN and reflected on the progress in diversity within the NFL officiating community and expressed continued passion for the sport.
While there has been headway on diversity within the league, Carey said there is still much work to be done.
“The diversity in officiating when I was there, was not there. And it wasn’t malicious,” Carey told CNN.
“[Now], you have way more Black officials. You’re now having not only women, but women of color, and whatever your sexual orientation is, it’s less and less of an issue.”
After football officiating
After his retirement in 2014, Carey became a CBS Sports analyst and co-founded Seirus Innovation, a company manufacturing snow sports products.
While he is enjoying the success of his newfound career, Carey says he is grateful for his experiences, stating, “Everything that I’ve done, I’ve just loved immensely.” said he continues to look back over his football career with pride.
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