In brief: LeGrand’s return Moment of Year

Football: Paralyzed Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s year-end issue.

His return to the field in October was picked as the 2011 Moment of the Year.

For the first time in the magazine’s 57-year history, fans made the choice.

LeGrand garnered the most votes from fans in 178 countries and led more than 6,000 users to post comments on Facebook.

LeGrand has been undergoing rehabili- tation since he was paralyzed from the neck down making a tackle against Army last year.

The cover photograph, taken by Associated Press’ Mel Evans, shows LeGrand in his motorized wheelchair leading his team onto the field against West Virginia.

Associated Press

Rodgers AP Male Athlete of Year

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the 2011 Male Athlete of the Year, chosen by members of The Associated Press, after he turned in an MVP performance in the Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in February and then went on to lead his team on a long unbeaten run this season.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander finished second.

Gardner will also race in Scotland

Cross country: Mead junior Andrew Gardner will compete for the U.S. junior national team in Scotland next month.

 Gardner, who was runner-up in the State 4A cross country meet the last two seasons, will join Shadle Park senior Nathan Weitz and North Central junior Katie Knight at the Great Edinburg International cross country race on Jan. 7.

His status for the race in Scotland was incorrect in a story that ran in Wednesday’s sports section.