A year later, Eric LeGrand Bourbon going strong for paralyzed former Rutgers football star
Eric LeGrand, a former Rutgers University Scarlet Knight who was paralyzed during a football game, has become an entrepreneur and disability advocate in the years since that fateful day in 2010 when a fourth-quarter play changed his life's trajectory.
March marks the first anniversary of launching his Eric LeGrand Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, one of two businesses in which the former defensive tackle has immersed himself from the seat of his wheelchair.
"The whole idea behind the concept of it was to be able to break the stigma that someone in a wheelchair with a disability can’t enjoy a cocktail and the finer things in life," said LeGrand, who is 33.
He describes the product, bottled in Bardstown, Kentucky, as “very smooth with a charred taste at first, followed by a fruity sweetness.”
At 88 proof, he said, it’s “smooth enough to have more than one sip.”
LeGrand holds no animosity toward the school that put him on the field that October day when injuries to his C3 and C4 vertebrae ended his football career. In fact, he’s thankful.
"Rutgers University made me who I am today,” he said.
LeGrand entered into a contract with his alma mater last summer that made his the first spirits brand to partner with Rutgers athletics. Eric LeGrand Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is now sold at Rutgers sporting events.
Five dollars and 20 cents from every case of bourbon sold goes to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which advocates for and funds spinal cord research.
LeGrand is enjoying his endeavors and he’s optimistic about the future in spite of the fact that most new businesses fail.
His first venture, the LeGrand Coffee House in his hometown of Woodbridge, is going strong in its third year. He’s hoping the whiskey company will follow suit. He’s working seven days a week between the two businesses, but it feels right.
"It's the day-to-day process. You definitely have your good days and you have your bad days, because it’s like anything else with life,” he said. “We try to keep working hard, keeping the foot on the pedal, having a goal, having a mission, and being able to try to attack them each and every day. Even when you get knocked out, find a way to get back up.”
He’s developed a recipe with 40North Restaurants that he calls the LeGrand Bourbon Smash to celebrate the anniversary. It features his eponymous bourbon with hints of lemon and mint and is available at The Office Tavern Grill restaurants in East Hanover, Summit, Morristown and Ridgewood during March and April.
Two dollars from every smash sold will also go to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
Gene Myers covers disability and mental health for NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY Network. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @myersgene
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers' Eric LeGrand celebrates bourbon anniversary