A Cup of bELieve Podcast returns for its third episode this week as host Eric LeGrand interviews Paul Rabil, co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League and universally acknowledged as one of the greatest lacrosse players of all-time.
Once dubbed the “LeBron James of Lacrosse” by the New York Times, Paul Rabil’s name has been synonymous with the game ever since the four-time NCAA All-American helped Johns Hopkins University win two national championships. After concluding college, he became the number one overall selection in the 2008 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Draft and the second pick in the National Lacrosse League Draft (professional indoor lacrosse). The following year, he was named the MLL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year before winning both the MLL and NLL Championships in 2010. He was once again named the MLL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year in 2011, and he then tied the league record for season-ending awards when he was selected as the 2012 MLL Offensive Player of the Year. After six seasons with the Boston Cannons in the MLL, Rabil was traded to the New York Lizards in 2015 and won a second league championship.
Dissatisfied with the treatment that professional lacrosse players were receiving, Rabil and his brother Mike decided to create their own league in 2018, naming it the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). The newly established PLL sought to empower its players with increased salaries, health care and league equity. Initially in direct competition with the MLL, the PLL eventually acquired the MLL in 2021 and now functions as the top professional lacrosse league in the country. The incredible journey of the league, from concept to today, was documented in the 2022 feature Fate of a Sport. The movie premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and is now being streamed on ESPN+. Directed by Michael Doneger and written by Dan Crane, the project features executive producers LeBron James and Camille Maratchi in association with Uninterrupted, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson and Philip Byron.
Since officially retiring as a player in 2021, Rabil continues to serve as the President of the Premier Lacrosse League and also began hosting his own podcast entitled Suiting Up.
Presented by the Teachers Insurance Plan of New Jersey and produced by Malka Sports, A Cup of bELieve Podcast features Eric LeGrand speaking to athletes, entertainers and other notable individuals as they share stories of trials, perseverance and success. The first season of A Cup of bELieve Podcast will feature six episodes, with shows being released every other Thursday. Coming up next, LeGrand will speak with two-time FIFA Player of the Year Carli Lloyd before interviewing Super Bowl Champion and Pivot Podcast host, Ryan Clark. The first season of the podcast will conclude with an interview of legendary pro wrestler and WWE Chief Content Officer, Triple H. Episodes with Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and award-winning actor Bryan Cranston are available now on YouTube and all major audio platforms.
The presenting sponsor of A Cup of bELieve Podcast is the Teachers Insurance Plan of New Jersey, and a special highlight in each episode surrounds a question by LeGrand where guests share a story about a teacher or mentor who positively impacted their lives.
In October 2010, LeGrand sustained a spinal cord injury at his C3 and C4 vertebrae while playing football for Rutgers University. Since that life-altering incident occurred, he has become a worldwide source of inspiration whose message of positivity has influenced a countless number of people throughout the world. Additionally, LeGrand has developed an incredible business and professional acumen, becoming an established entrepreneur, motivational speaker, sports analyst, philanthropist and author. Along with hosting his own podcast, he also recently launched his own coffee brand, LeGrand Coffee House, and his own brand of bourbon, Eric LeGrand Whiskey.
On the charitable side, his philanthropic organization Team LeGrand has raised nearly two million dollars for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Additionally, the Rutgers graduate was recognized by Sports Illustrated with its 2011 Best Moment Award, and he was also presented with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2012 ESPY Awards. Further, he was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2017, receiving the Warrior Award.
