Speaker Boehner wishes Eric LeGrand well

{mosads}The Ohio representative, who is a loyal Cincinnati Bengals fan, retweeted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers through his campaign account. According to his political office, the Speaker is familiar with LeGrand’s story of overcoming adversity and wishes him all the best in his career.

According to the Buccaneers’ tweet that caught Boehner’s eye, new-signed player LeGrand said in a conference call today: “Tough times don’t last. Only tough people do.”

New Buc Eric LeGrand in a conference call today: “Tough times don’t last. Only tough people do.”

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) May 2, 2012

LeGrand was paralyzed during a game accident while playing for Rutgers in 2010. His signing by Tampa Bay Coach Greg Schiano, who formerly coached for Rutgers, was a symbolic gesture meant in part to celebrate the fact that LeGrand is doing better than expectations. He is now off a ventilator and breathing on his own. 

“This small gesture is the least we could do to recognize his character, spirit and perseverance,” Schiano told ESPN. “The way Eric lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Buccaneer Men.”