Combat vet to play at Clemson
Daniel Rodriguez promised his friend, PFC Kevin Thompson that someday he was going to play college football. A few days later, Thompson was killed in a battle at Kamdesh, Afghanistan when 400 Taliban swarmed over the 40 defenders in October 2009. Rodriguez left Kamdesh with shrapnel in his leg and neck and a bullet in his leg, and with a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, but he never forgot his promise to his fallen comrade. Fox News reports;
Rodriguez’s home state schools of Virginia and Virginia Tech contacted him, too. Virginia said his grades were not good enough to enroll while Rodriguez said Virginia Tech wasn’t eager to move forward with getting waivers from the NCAA and ACC for him to play. Swinney said the Tigers would give it a try.
“There was a lot of paperwork and Clemson was willing to do that,” Rodriguez said. “I’m grateful to them.”
[Clemson football coach Dabo] Swinney is happy to have Rodriguez on his sideline. “He is getting the opportunity to follow his dream,” the coach said. “We are excited to have him join our program. I have no doubt that he will become a great leader for us.”
Rodriguez repeats what millions of veterans have told themselves for generations after war;
“I’m using the hardships, the horrors, the killing, the friends that I’ve lost as my fuel to (get) where I want to be,” he said. “So I think if you can turn and manipulate anything negative in your life and use it as something good, that’s what I’ve taken into my life.”
Thanks to SGT K for the link.
ADDED: Read more at our buddy, Parachute Cutie‘s house.
August 2nd, 2012 at 9:49 am
No comment … just a deep feeling of overwhelming pride!
August 2nd, 2012 at 9:56 am
Give ‘em Hell Daniel!
Drive on!
August 2nd, 2012 at 10:35 am
That’s awesome!
August 2nd, 2012 at 10:43 am
I have no doubt he will do well, whatever he does.
Good luck, Daniel!
August 2nd, 2012 at 11:11 am
I can just imagine the look Rod will give the first player he hears complain about the heat, the tough coaches, the whatever. As for the Hokies, that’s a load of stuff regarding inadequate grades. After all, this is the school who brought us the Vicks, is it not? I suppose that with solid citizens like them contributing to VT’s legacy and impeccable reputation, the school doesn’t need the likes of Rodriguez.
August 2nd, 2012 at 11:21 am
Leta has a great write-up at her place!!
August 2nd, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Good for Clemson!
I’ll hold back on my Hokie and Cavalier comments.
August 2nd, 2012 at 4:08 pm
I have no love for ClemPson or some call Clem’s son. I’ve got to applaud them for this.
August 2nd, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Go Clemson!
August 2nd, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Clemson’s “Death Valley” will probably ring hollow with Rodriguez.
September 28th, 2012 at 11:05 pm
I am a Clemson fan and now a Rodriguez fan as well.