NEW BRUNSWICK — A few days ago, Rutgers University had no one to give its commencement address. Now, it has two graduation speakers.

The state university announced today former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand will join former Gov. Tom Kean in addressing the graduates at the May 18 commencement ceremony. They will replace former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who dropped out Saturday amid campus protests about her involvement in the Iraq War.

LeGrand made headlines late Monday night when he posted on his Twitter account that university officials had asked him over the weekend to replace Rice as commencement speaker, then rescinded the offer Monday. LeGrand said he was hurt when he was told that Rutgers President Robert Barchi had selected Kean instead for "political reasons."

About 15 hours after LeGrand's tweet, Barchi released a statement saying it had all been a misunderstanding.

"Eric LeGrand will speak at our commencement and personally receive his degree from me as a representative of the Class of 2014," Barchi said in a statement. "It was never our intention that Eric would be the only speaker. We have resolved that miscommunication and are delighted to have him participate."

LeGrand was paralyzed in a 2010 Rutgers football game. He has since become an inspirational speaker and Rutgers fundraiser known for his positive attitude and support of the school as he works to regain movement in his body.

LeGrand, a labor relations major, finished his degree in January.

"Eric holds a special place in the hearts of the Class of 2014 and the entire university community. We are thrilled that he will be joining us on stage to make this special occasion ever more memorable," Barchi said.

LeGrand said he spoke to Barchi by phone today and the president explained there was confusion among Rutgers officials scrambling to line up a commencement speaker over the weekend. Barchi said he had secured Kean as speaker early Saturday, but members of his administration did not know that and called LeGrand later that day to see if he was available to speak.

"He said, 'Eric, I want to offer you a huge apology on my part on everything that has happened over the past 24 hours,'" LeGrand said. "He explained to me the whole situation and then before he ended it he said, 'I'm very sorry that you had to go through this whole thing.'"

LeGrand said he was told Kean will still be commencement speaker, but the former football player will be given as much time as needed to address his classmates in the stadium where his No. 52 jersey hangs. His number became the first in Rutgers history to be retired last fall.

"I just wish everything was worked out before, but I'm very happy now . . . to be able to speak at the commencement and I get to address the crowd," LeGrand said. "It's going to be amazing."

University officials did not say if LeGrand will be paid for his remarks. Rice was scheduled to receive a $35,000 honorarium for her speech.

Kean declined to take the fee for his commencement address. LeGrand said if he is offered a fee, he would like the money to go to "Team LeGrand" or a similar foundation dedicated to spinal cord research.

The addition of LeGrand to the graduation ceremony caps a whirlwind few days for Rutgers, which appeared to be caught off guard when Rice announced she was dropping out of the ceremony Saturday.

Last week, Rutgers students staged a sit-in outside Barchi's office to protest the selection of Rice as speaker. Faculty groups also objected to Rice, arguing a university should not give an honorary degree and $35,000 to someone involved in the Bush Administration's support of the Iraq War and controversial prisoner interrogation techniques, including waterboarding.

Rice announced she was bowing out because she didn't want the controversy to overshadow the graduation celebration.

About 40,000 people are expected to attend the commencement ceremony at High Point Solutions Stadium on the Piscataway campus.

LeGrand said he was first contacted by Greg Jackson, Barchi's chief of staff, Saturday night and asked to do the university a "favor" and give the commencement speech. LeGrand, who was attending a spinal cord research fundraiser in Florida, accepted the offer over the phone and the pair agreed to speak again Monday when he was back in New Jersey.

But on Monday, LeGrand said Rutgers athletic director Julie Hermann called him to say Barchi had named Kean as speaker.

"She told me, 'I was pushing for you, but President Barchi decided to go in another direction for political reasons. But he wants you to come to the ceremony. He wants to personally give you your degree,'" LeGrand said. "I just didn't know how to feel. I was hurt. They offered me this on Saturday and then they take it back on Monday. I was like, 'Why?'"

State Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) was among the politicians who issued statements today urging Rutgers officials to explain why LeGrand would not be addressing the graduates.

After Rutgers' announcement that he would be speaking after all, LeGrand was back on Twitter this afternoon urging his supporters to move past the controversies and "keep the focus on the graduates."

NJ.com's Dan Duggan contributed to this report.

RELATED COVERAGE

• Eric LeGrand 'hurt' by Rutgers' failure to explain commencement speech decision

• Former Gov. Tom Kean to replace Condoleezza Rice as Rutgers commencement speaker

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