What do you think?
Rate this book
Believe
The inspirational story of Eric LeGrand . . . now adapted for young readers!
On October 16, 2010, Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand was known as a key performer on the field and a much-loved teammate who could make anyone smile. But in the heated fourth quarter of a tie game against Army, everything changed in a moment. A crushing tackle left him motionless on the field, and while the entire stadium went silent with fear and anticipation, Eric knew his life would never again be the same.
What he didn't know, however, was that the months to come would be a remarkable, transformative journey: one so profound that he would call the year following the accident that paralyzed him from the neck down the best year of his life.
In this uplifting memoir, now adapted for young readers, Eric tells the amazing story of how he rebuilds his life, continues his college education, and pursues a career in sports broadcasting. His belief in a grand plan and his hope for the future make him a model for anyone who has experienced tragedy or faced obstacles.
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Hardcover
First published December 4, 2012
9 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 23, 2017
It was very inspiring! I would recommend this book to fans of football!
September 4, 2019
This book was really good in the aspect that it touched on the big parts that affected him and his life.
Read
October 24, 2019I really enjoyed this book
March 11, 2021
I have always admired Eric's strength and persistence, on and off the field. He is the epitome of optimism, positivity, and hope. We can learn a lot from him, as well as to always BELIEVE.
September 4, 2013
This is a good book about the young Eric LeGrand, the junior defensive lineman at the University of Rutgers who was paralyzed after making a hit on special teams against Army in a regular season game back in 2008. This is a fascinating autobiography as Eric takes you through his life growing up as a football player and how he got to Rutgers after all his hard work. It was a sad story as he was a highly regarded player on Rutgers and the NFL was in the cards for him, so you can't help but feel a sense of sorrow as he relives the infamous hit and the moment where he was laying back without the ability to move after the hit. Even after being put on a stretcher and carried off the field and waking up in his hospital bed, Eric still continued to ask his teammates about what time practice was thinking that he had to get ready for it still, not knowing that he was truly paralyzed and unable to play football ever again. I was very impressed with how helpful and involved Greg Schiano stayed in Eric LeGrand's life even after the accident. He went out of his way to help set up a foundation for him and his family and he continued to come visit Eric after practice and games. As a football coach, a lot of times the job is a business and when one of your employees no longer is producing for you, there is no real requirement for you to continue to invest time in them. However, Greg Schiano went out of his way to do so. It was great to see Eric starting to be able to stand with some of the assisted devices, but this book was a reminder to me that not only should you play every play like it is your last, but you just should not play football as the risks are just way too high as it ruined this young man's life.
October 14, 2012
He's probably got a concussion. He'll be fine.
No. I saw him fall. I don't like the way he hit the ground.
I hope he'll be okay.
It's bad, man.
Read this one at the Bantam game at GHS this morning while sitting in the chilly stands. This is the nonfiction sports story that is going to captivate and inspire my football playing fellas -- especially the more reluctant readers. 7th grade just got themselves another awesome book to add to their survival and challenges unit. It's going to be the one they're all fighting to read!
Eric LeGrand is the Rutgers player who suffered a major spinal injury during the game against Army in 2010. His story of growing up and loving football leads into that fateful game, and then to the frantic efforts to save his life, and finally to the long process of rehabilitation. Everything Eric learned about believing in yourself, staying positive, and working hard through his school and football days became even more important in his recovery as he learned to accept help, focus on others, find ways to compensate for his inability to move, and find other opportunities and ways to stay in the game of football. This is one for every middle school student.
No. I saw him fall. I don't like the way he hit the ground.
I hope he'll be okay.
It's bad, man.
Read this one at the Bantam game at GHS this morning while sitting in the chilly stands. This is the nonfiction sports story that is going to captivate and inspire my football playing fellas -- especially the more reluctant readers. 7th grade just got themselves another awesome book to add to their survival and challenges unit. It's going to be the one they're all fighting to read!
Eric LeGrand is the Rutgers player who suffered a major spinal injury during the game against Army in 2010. His story of growing up and loving football leads into that fateful game, and then to the frantic efforts to save his life, and finally to the long process of rehabilitation. Everything Eric learned about believing in yourself, staying positive, and working hard through his school and football days became even more important in his recovery as he learned to accept help, focus on others, find ways to compensate for his inability to move, and find other opportunities and ways to stay in the game of football. This is one for every middle school student.
January 9, 2013
Although written for upper elementary and middle grade students, it would be a great choice for high school boys who are reluctant or struggling readers. Pitching this book to young football fans would be easy as many may already be familiar with LeGrand and his story. He has a strong presence in social media and openly encourages readers to reach out to him via Twitter or FaceBook in the book (I tweeted him about the book and he replied within minutes). In recent years, there has been more debate about the dangers of football; Believe could be referenced in classroom discourse about this hot topic. It could also be a choice for reading assignments based on the themes of perseverance, heroes, sports, and/or disabilities.
It would be simple and worthwhile to make a small display in the library for this book featuring article clippings, photos and excerpts from social media about Eric LeGrand. This would quickly draw readers in.
It would be simple and worthwhile to make a small display in the library for this book featuring article clippings, photos and excerpts from social media about Eric LeGrand. This would quickly draw readers in.
October 17, 2013
This is is highly-readable and moving story of the defensive football star who had his dreams of an NFL career come to a crashing end because of a tackle against an Army football player in the Meadowlands in 2010. In a very accessible way, LeGrand discusses his early life, the importance of family and friends, his lifelong love of football, and the game and hit that paralyzed him. His motto is BELIEVE and he emphasizes to all that life did not end when football ended and that we all must be grateful for every moment we are alive. This is a great message and a moving book.
September 1, 2016
It is the 'One Book, One School' book this year and I accidentally bought the Young Reader's Edition. I can see why it was selected it is inspiring, heartfelt and straightforward. If you don't know football, which luckily I do, I would think the football details (positions, plays, etc.) may seem intimidating.
January 31, 2014
I usually dont enjoy autobiographies butthis book was awesome. it included fantastic detail and stories about Erics ife. it was really inspiring due to all the hard work he put in to become successful and how well he s reacting to his injury.
Read
October 6, 2013it was a very inspiring story about how challenges in life push you down but you should always get back up
September 16, 2016
About a Rutgers football player who got hit during a football game and suffered a spinal injury. Read this for school; he's coming to speak to our school today.
April 26, 2017
Jake Walford
April Book Report
For my April book report, I decided to do a non fiction book called Believe: Young readers Edition. The book is about a kid named Eric Legrand who loved to play football. He played pop Warner. He said in the book that he is really good at playing running back and that he would never want to stop. He went to high school and got a full ride scholarship through football in his freshman year. As he continued to play, he got better and better. In his freshman year, he had already got scholarships to several different colleges. When he was in his senior year, he chose to go to the New Jersey Rutgers. On October 10, 2010, he was playing against Army and he hit Malcolm Brown wrong during a kickoff. He had broken his vertebra 4 and 5, which led him to have a 0% to 5% chance to walk again.
I think that one of the themes of this book was to believe (obviously) and do what you love. I would definitely recommend this book to other people. Another theme would be to live every day like it's your last. To be thankful for what you have and not complain, because some people would love to switch places with you. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. Although it is a very good book, I do think Eric can improve it.
April Book Report
For my April book report, I decided to do a non fiction book called Believe: Young readers Edition. The book is about a kid named Eric Legrand who loved to play football. He played pop Warner. He said in the book that he is really good at playing running back and that he would never want to stop. He went to high school and got a full ride scholarship through football in his freshman year. As he continued to play, he got better and better. In his freshman year, he had already got scholarships to several different colleges. When he was in his senior year, he chose to go to the New Jersey Rutgers. On October 10, 2010, he was playing against Army and he hit Malcolm Brown wrong during a kickoff. He had broken his vertebra 4 and 5, which led him to have a 0% to 5% chance to walk again.
I think that one of the themes of this book was to believe (obviously) and do what you love. I would definitely recommend this book to other people. Another theme would be to live every day like it's your last. To be thankful for what you have and not complain, because some people would love to switch places with you. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. Although it is a very good book, I do think Eric can improve it.
October 1, 2018
I think this is one of the best football books I’ve ever read. It kind of makes me tear up just because of how hard it could be for Eric and how much heart he has. Star athlete gets recruited by Rutgers. Switches positions from inside linebacker to D line and becomes a really good d lineman. One specific kickoff he was on kickoff return and go hit in a way that he couldn’t get back up. He was laying on the ground because he couldn’t move and that was the last time he was ever able to walk normally again. He’s been stuck in a wheelchair ever since but, it makes me smile to see that his heart is still in the game and he’s never given up.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews