Injured baller opts for fresh grounds
Eric LeGrand is known for grinding.
Since the former Rutgers football player was paralyzed from the neck down during a game against Army at Metlife Stadium in 2010, he’s become synonymous with hard work, perseverance and stubborn optimism against all odds.
And the New Jersey native is adding a more literal meaning to the word grind — with coffee beans.
Coffee unites people
On Saturday, the 31-year-old is opening his namesake coffee house in Woodbridge, NJ, with a “LeGrand opening” that’s been nearly two years in the making.
“Coffee is something that you can bring people together with. Eightyfive percent of the world drinks it,” LeGrand told The Post. The former defensive tackle who is a motivational speaker, broadcaster and philanthropist behind Team LeGrand had been percolating on opening a business. During the divisive early days of the pandemic, his mind turned to the caffeinated beverage because of its unifying nature.
“Over a cup of coffee, there are so many . . . good things that happen,” he said. Although the social concept of the drink resonated with him, he’d never actually tried the stuff. That changed in August 2020, when he took his first sip: a simple cup of hot black coffee.
“It changed my life. I said, ‘I am missing out on some good stuff.’ Ever since then, it’s been a journey,” said LeGrand who now starts his day with an iced latte.
He called the mayor of Woodbridge about his proposal, and hours later he was talking with the town’s business honchos.
LeGrand, who is in a powered wheelchair, designed the space to accommodate others in chairs or with special needs: The doors are wider, the bathrooms are larger and there are high-top tables that customers in chairs can fit under.
“And behind the counter, it’s big enough so I can maneuver back and forth and not bump into things,” he added. It’s also been wired by Google, so that LeGrand can control the temperature, lights, music and other business functions with his voice.
Accessibility is key
“I wish more people would think about [accessibility]. A lot of times, it’s out of sight out of mind. When you’re living in this world every single day, it’s always on your mind,” he said. “And the people who are closest to me, they always think about it. Everywhere they go, they say, ‘Eric wouldn’t be able to get around here.’ I am trying to raise awareness and attention to the things that need to be talked about.”
When the cafe opens its doors, it will serve pastries and monkey bread from Balthazar — and in a nod to his alma mater, a specialty drink called the Scarlett Knight which is a mocha coffee with raspberry and chocolate syrup.
“It’s been a hit so far,” he said of early tastings.
LeGrand’s framed Rutgers football jersey hangs on the wall outside of his office at the coffeehouse. It was a gift from head coach Greg Schiano, with whom he shares a special bond. “Coach had it framed and everything. He said, ‘This is my gift to the shop,’ ” LeGrand said.
Beyond the community he’s building, LeGrand — who is also learning how to speak Spanish — hopes his business endeavor serves as an example to others that anything is possible.
“I can’t even lift my hand to put a cup of coffee to my mouth, but here
I am with a full business. There is no reason for me to be negative and I want to share that with other people,” he said, adding, “Focus on the things you have, and if there is something you really want, you work your butt off to get it.”