A Rutgers official asked Eric LeGrand on Saturday night to deliver the keynote speech at the university's May 18 commencement. Less than 48 hours later, another university official called LeGrand to inform him that the school had "decided to go in another direction for political reasons."

A blindsided LeGrand was left searching for answers on Monday night.

"I just want an explanation," LeGrand told NJ.com in a phone interview. "I wish somebody would have given me a call tonight and explained to me why. Then I can understand, but don't just leave me hanging."

LeGrand, a former Rutgers defensive tackle paralyzed in a 2010 game, was in Sunrise, Fla., over the weekend for the "Wings for Life" race, a fundraiser for spinal cord research. While out to dinner with friends on Saturday night, LeGrand received a phone call from Greg Jackson, the chief of staff for Rutgers President Robert Barchi.

"(Jackson) asked if I could do Rutgers a favor and give the commencement speech," said LeGrand, who is graduating after taking classes throughout his rehabilitation process. "I was like, 'Wow, thank you for offering.' He goes, 'Yeah, absolutely. Talk it over with your family this weekend. Let's touch base again Monday.' I was all amped all weekend. I was like, 'This is perfect. I'm going to have to give a speech to everybody.' "

LeGrand's flight home to Avenel, N.J., was delayed on Monday afternoon so he called Jackson in the morning to push back a scheduled call to discuss logistics. Jackson said he was headed to a meeting and gave LeGrand no indication that anything had changed with the offer to speak at the commencement.

But when LeGrand returned home around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, he received a phone call from Rutgers athletic director Julie Hermann. LeGrand said his heart dropped when Hermann informed him that former Gov. Tom Kean had been announced as the commencement speaker on Monday afternoon.

LeGrand said Jackson didn't answer two phone calls on Monday night. Rutgers officials didn't immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday night.

Former football player Eric LeGrand will speak at Rutgers University's commencement after all, campus officials announced today.

"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."

"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.