Clemson Tigers

War hero and former Clemson WR Rodriguez signs with the St. Louis Rams

Published May. 13, 2015 11:30 a.m. ET

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Daniel Rodriguez has won a Purple Heart Award, and now he’s trying to win a spot on the St. Louis Rams, who signed him to a free agent contract on Sunday.

I wouldn’t bet against him.

“His story’s well-documented,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Saturday. “We wanted to give him an opportunity. We’ll see what happens. … (We’re) very impressed, obviously, with his story and what he did at Clemson and what he was able to accomplish.”

Rodriguez served in the Army from 2006-10, where he fought in the Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan in 2009 where 38 U.S. troops faced 300 Taliban fighters.

During the battle, eight Americans were killed and 22 were injured, including Rodriguez, who sustained wounds to his neck, shoulder and leg.

“I vividly remember thinking, this is it,” Rodriguez told the New York Times. “My intent was to kill as many of them before they killed me. I kept a round in my pocket just in case; I was going to take my own life. But it wasn’t my day to go.”

Rodriguez’s heroics in Kamdesh earned him a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star Medal With Valor Device.

At some point before the battle, Rodriguez promised his close friend, Pfc. Kevin Thompson, that if he made it home he would pursue his dream of playing college football. Thompson was one of eight men that died in the Battle of Kamdesh, but Rodriguez kept his promise.

With help from Ryan Russell Smith, Rodriguez composed a recruiting video that was more like a short film, mixing in football highlights while Rodriguez spoke about his past experiences. Needless to say it was unlike any recruiting video Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney had ever seen.

“I was mesmerized by his video,” Swinney told the New York Times. “I’m watching and thinking, Holy cow, he’s amazing.”

In 2012, the 5-8, 180-pound Rodriguez, who achieved the military rank of Sergeant, was offered a spot on the Clemson roster as a preferred walk-on. He went on to become a special teams ace for the Tigers and caught 11 career receptions for 39 yards and one touchdown.

(h/t New York Times)

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