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Eric LeGrand visits Saints-Patriots joint practice

New Orleans Saints/Twitter

Since becoming paralyzed in a 2010 college game, former Rutgers player Eric LeGrand has been a regular at NFL training camps, delivering his inspiring message about overcoming obstacles.

On Thursday, he stopped by a joint practice held by the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints to speak with players and coaches.

Along with LeGrand, who's visited Patriots training camps in the past, Boston Marathon bombing survivor Celeste Corcoran and double-amputee marathoner Jami Goldman Marseilles also spoke to team members.

Among those moved by LeGrand's words was Patriots rookie receiver Malcolm Mitchell.

"When you're a player, on the outside looking in and you see these people overcoming catastrophic injuries or situations, it kind of motivates you to keep pushing because what you're going through has nothing on what they've been through," Mitchell told ESPN's Mike Reiss. "Every day you have to strive to be your best because you never know when that day will come to an end.

"Also, I received the message that regardless of what you're going through, you can overcome it."

Possibly the most excited to meet LeGrand was Saints cornerback Delvin Breaux, who broke his neck playing high school football and had to fight his way through the CFL to accomplish his NFL goal.

LeGrand also got a chance to catch up with former college teammates Logan Ryan, Devin McCourty, and Duron Harmon, who all play for the Patriots, and fellow Rutgers alumni Jonathan Freeny and Brandon Coleman.

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