LeGrand, who suffered a paralyzing injury during a 2010 game, was dressed in a cap and gown and drew long and loud cheers during his speech to the Class of 2014.
''I'm moving my shoulders here. I'm moving myself forward,'' said the 23-year-old LeGrand, who received his labor relations degree. ''Don't ever let someone tell you you can't do something!''
A former defensive tackle, LeGrand recalled being paralyzed from the neck down while making a tackle on a kickoff in a game against Army. He is now able to breathe on his own and stand upright with the help of a metal frame.
He told the crowd to remember that ''anything is truly possible in this world.''
After LeGrand spoke, Rutgers president Robert Barchi announced that former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, the event's keynote speaker, had asked that his $35,000 speaking fee be used to establish a scholarship fund in honor of LeGrand and the entire graduating class
