Photo by: MLB Network PR
WATCH: Kivlehan & LeGrand Talk "Believe" on MLB Network
Aug 23 | Baseball, Football
Kivlehan to wear special jersey for "Players Weekend"
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - With Major League Baseball holding "Players Weekend" for the first time, each player had an opportunity to select what they would want on the back of their jersey. For Patrick Kivlehan of the Cincinnati Reds, the Rutgers baseball and football product immediately caught on to the idea of honoring former teammate Eric LeGrand and shedding light on his story. He will wear "Believe" for the three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates starting on Friday.
"The idea came out that we needed a nickname, so I texted some buddies and no one could come up with anything good," Kivlehan told MLB Network. "I was talking to two of my old roommates back in college and one of them threw out the idea of throwing 'Believe' on there for Eric. I knew right away once he gave the idea that's what I wanted to do. I ran it by my wife, she was cool with it. And then I wanted to make sure Eric was cool with it, so I texted him and he was down. That's how it came to be."
For LeGrand, who has his No. 52 retired by the Rutgers football program, it was a surprise.
"I thought it was awesome," LeGrand said. "In the beginning I honestly didn't know what we were talking about because I didn't know what MLB was doing this weekend. But when he said he was going to use my slogan, 'Believe,' I was like this is an awesome idea. I really do appreciate it."
"I just want people talking about the cause and talking about Eric," Kivlehan said. "Maybe there is someone out there who doesn't know Eric's story or know anything about him, and maybe sees my jerseys and gives him a follow on Instagram or Twitter (@EricLeGrand52). You never know what might come of that. It might lead to a cure or more funds available for the cure. You just never know what impact you can have on people. If you can affect one person, it is good enough."
LeGrand has continued to inspire many since suffering a spinal cord injury in a 2010 game against Army. He has raised $875,000 towards Team LeGrand and Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, with the goal of reaching $1,000,000. Click here for more information.
Watch the full MLB Network interview with Kivlehan and LeGrand below.
"The idea came out that we needed a nickname, so I texted some buddies and no one could come up with anything good," Kivlehan told MLB Network. "I was talking to two of my old roommates back in college and one of them threw out the idea of throwing 'Believe' on there for Eric. I knew right away once he gave the idea that's what I wanted to do. I ran it by my wife, she was cool with it. And then I wanted to make sure Eric was cool with it, so I texted him and he was down. That's how it came to be."
For LeGrand, who has his No. 52 retired by the Rutgers football program, it was a surprise.
"I thought it was awesome," LeGrand said. "In the beginning I honestly didn't know what we were talking about because I didn't know what MLB was doing this weekend. But when he said he was going to use my slogan, 'Believe,' I was like this is an awesome idea. I really do appreciate it."
"I just want people talking about the cause and talking about Eric," Kivlehan said. "Maybe there is someone out there who doesn't know Eric's story or know anything about him, and maybe sees my jerseys and gives him a follow on Instagram or Twitter (@EricLeGrand52). You never know what might come of that. It might lead to a cure or more funds available for the cure. You just never know what impact you can have on people. If you can affect one person, it is good enough."
LeGrand has continued to inspire many since suffering a spinal cord injury in a 2010 game against Army. He has raised $875,000 towards Team LeGrand and Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, with the goal of reaching $1,000,000. Click here for more information.
Watch the full MLB Network interview with Kivlehan and LeGrand below.
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