A combat veteran who played wide receiver for Clemson after leaving service is back in uniform for his old school — for 80 seconds, at least.
Daniel Rodriguez, who earned a Bronze Star with "V" device and a Purple Heart for his actions during the Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan in 2009, donned his orange-and-blue No. 83 jersey in a Fox Sports video released Monday, hours before his Tigers take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff title game in Arizona:
Rodriguez played primarily special teams during three years with the Tigers (2012-14), returning six punts and recording five tackles. He also hauled in 11 career catches, including a touchdown in 2013. receiving a waiver from the NCAABefore graduating, he penned a memoir — "Rise: A Soldier, a Dream, and a Promise Kept." Sony obtained movie rights for the story before the book went on sale.
Rodriguez attempted to catch on with the St. Louis Rams as a free agent over the summer, appearing in preseason action before his release in early September.
Daniel Rodriguez
Photo Credit: Screen Shot
His message for this year's Clemson squad, per the video: "It's time to sacrifice. Sacrifice your body, sacrifice your heart, sacrifice your mind ... for yourselves, but most importantly, for each other."
Clemson (14-0) defeated Oklahoma 37-17 on Dec. 31 to earn a spot in the title game. The Tigers are about a touchdown underdog to the Crimson Tide (13-1), which blanked Michigan State 38-0 in the other semifinal.
Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.
