Inspirational Ex-PSU Football Player Becomes New Jersey Assemblyman

In 2000, Penn State Football Player Adam Taliaferro was playing just another football game at "the Shoe" in Columbus, Ohio, when a big hit left him paralyzed. He had little chance to walk again, let alone live a long, successful life.

Well, I guess he's still beating the odds:

It's official — Gloucester County Freeholder Adam Taliaferro is moving up.

Taliaferro, of Woolwich Township, has been tapped by the Democratic leadership of Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland counties to step into the Third District Assembly seat vacated by Celeste Riley, State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3 of West Deptford) confirmed Thursday morning. 

Riley was sworn-in on Jan. 1 as Cumberland County's clerk, following her successful election bid against a longtime incumbent.

"It's certainly exciting, and an honor to have this opportunity," Taliaferro said when reached by phone Thursday afternoon. "It's been three great years on the freeholder board. I'm going to miss working with my colleagues on the board. I learned a lot from them ... but I'm excited to work with Senate President Sweeney and Assemblyman John Burzichelli. I'm going in with people I've known for sometime and people I truly call friends."

Congratulations to Taliaferro and best of luck.