A Telling Statement

Sports Illustrated's Peter King paid homage to the Bucs signing of Rutger's Eric LeGrand in his MONDAY MORNING QB - TUESDAY story.  The article really provided insight into why a coach like Greg Schiano is able to take a perennial basement dwelling team such as Rutgers, and make them into a legitimate, steady contender.  This is a coach that young men will go to war for.  The story does not mention Coach Schiano's coaching style, or any technical coaching ideologies that lead the readers to understand why he is able to bring the best out of his men. 

What the article does however, is give insight into the relationship between Coach Schiano and one of his players.  Eric LeGrand states "He was my coach before, now he's part of my family".  When asked "how?", a powerful example of loyalty and sacrifice on the part of Coach Schiano, is mentioned by this courageous young man :

"After I had the accident," LeGrand said, "I was laying in my hospital bed.  My mom was with me every day.  But she needed some relief at night, so about 11 o'clock, every other night, Coach Schiano came into the room.  I was so scared, I couldn't sleep most of the time.  But I'd look over and there he'd be.  He'd talk to me, about everything.  And if I'd doze off, I'd wake up and there he'd be, with his computer in his lap, doing the work he was supposed to be doing but he was seeing me instead.  That happened every other night.  We got close.  He became a lot more than a coach to me."

Instances such as this gesture by Coach Schiano, are well circulated around and in, not only the Rutgers locker room, but opposing locker rooms, and NFL locker rooms as well.  When a player knows that a coach is willing to sacrifice his own time and comfort, to show support and compassion to a player that will no longer benefit his program athletically, it can remove any walls and doubt that may shroud a player/coach relationship.  Figuratively speaking, when this man asks you to run through a wall for him, you better do it in full faith, because he's already shown that he will do it for you. 

On a side note, There will be a 5K walk in New Jersey, A Walk To Believe 2012, on June 2 to benefit LeGrand and help defray his medical and living expenses.  You may not be able to make the trip to New Jersey but there is a link on that site that allows you to donate via PayPal.  This is a way for us to give back to this young man and his family.  Don't forget, he is a Buccaneer. He is family.  Take the time to donate and help make life a little easier on our most inspirational Buc.