NEW YORK -- Former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand will have his No. 52 retired this fall, the school announced Tuesday.

It will be the first number retired by Rutgers in the 144-year history of its football program.

What an honor thank you @RFootball this means the world to me pic.twitter.com/k0T15iS82h — Eric LeGrand (@EricLeGrand52) July 30, 2013

LeGrand suffered a spinal cord injury while making a tackle on a kickoff return in a game against Army on Oct. 16, 2010. He was paralyzed from the neck down, but says he has since gained some sensation throughout his body and plans to one day walk again.

The jersey retirement ceremony will take place Sept. 14, when the Scarlet Knights host Eastern Michigan.