Eric Arrington, a volunteer for the PossAbilities program at the Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus, was named the City of Rialto's "Man of the Year" on June 29 at the annual awards luncheon in Pomona.
Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod of the 32nd Senate District awarded Mr. Arrington, along with 11 other honorees.
Mr. Arrington was acknowledged for his service as a 15-year football coach and as a longtime supporter of patients in the PossAbilities program. This program serves the physical, social, and emotional needs of the disabled in this community.
Now confined to a wheelchair, Mr. Arrington lost the ability to use his legs when he was shot in the back six times while celebrating an offer to try out for the Los Angeles Raiders. Since the incident, Mr. Arrington has coached at Pop Warner, San Bernardino Valley College, and the University of Redlands' summer football camp.