Paralyzed former Rutgers football player ERIC LEGRAND tops the fourth annual "Juice List" of the 25 most influential people in New Jersey sports, according to Steve Politi of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. Since its creation, the list “has been topped by two governors and the co-owner of the Super Bowl champion Giants.” Politi wrote, “Juice is about more than having an important title or a big office. It’s about having an impact on people when you meet them. It’s about leaving a legacy on sports in New Jersey and beyond. It’s about touching lives. Few have done that better than Eric LeGrand, which is why he has earned the No. 1 spot for 2012.” Twelve of the 25 names on the list are “different from last year, a byproduct of our ever-shifting sports landscape” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/26).
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MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY SPORTS
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RANK
|
NAME |
TITLE |
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1
|
Eric LeGrand |
Paralyzed former Rutgers football player |
|
2
|
Chris Christie |
N.J. Governor |
|
3
|
Tom Coughlin |
Giants coach |
|
4
|
John Mara |
Giants President & CEO |
|
5
|
Tim Pernetti |
Rutgers AD |
|
6
|
Lou Lamoriello |
Devils President, CEO & GM
|
|
7
|
Kyle Flood |
Rutgers football coach |
|
8
|
Eli Manning |
Giants QB |
|
9
|
Shaquille O'Neal |
TNT NBA analyst
|
|
10
|
Bob Hurley Sr. |
St. Anthony High School boys basketball coach |
|
11
|
Woody Johnson |
Jets Owner |
|
12
|
Vicky Triponey |
College of New Jersey VP/Student Affairs |
|
13
|
Jeff Vanderbeek |
Devils Owner |
|
14
|
Rex Ryan |
Jets coach |
|
15
|
Greg Toal |
Don Bosco Prep football coach |
|
16
|
Martin Brodeur |
Devils G |
|
17
|
Jerry Reese |
Giants GM |
|
18
|
Robert Barchi |
Rutgers President |
|
19
|
Tim Tebow |
Jets QB |
|
20
|
Kevin Willard |
Seton Hall men's basketball coach |
|
21
|
Ray Lesniak |
State senator |
|
22
|
Steve Timko |
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Assoc. Exec Dir |
|
23
|
Christie Rampone |
U.S. women's soccer D |
|
24
|
Charlie Stillitano |
SiriusXM's "The Football Show" host |
|
25
|
Leo Hindery |
F1 Grand Prix of America Exec Chair |
