Brian
11-26-2013, 11:00
By Brandon Rink
Anderson (S.C.) Independent Mail
Published: November 25, 2013
CLEMSON -- It was a matter of time, but in Daniel Rodriguez's view, it ended up being more of a matter of timing.
He had his chances for his first career score this season, including one memorable series against Wake Forest in September where he ran a jet-sweep by the goalline three times, but to no avail.
Through three quarters, the original walk-on had his chances against The Citadel.
"There (were) three times where I could have got in," sophomore said, "but the coin didn't go my way."
On Military Appreciation Day of all days, fans, media -- well, pretty much everybody -- expected the Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient to reach the endzone, but Rodriguez wasn't so sure -- until on fourth-and-goal, he walked across the goalline untouched, on a shovel pass from Cole Stoudt.
"To be honest, coach (Dabo) Swinney says act like you've been there before and it's one of those feelings like I never expected to be there and I never thought I'd get there," he said. "I had so much excitement going through me. It was just awesome to be on Military Appreciation Day and hear those fans roar and celebrate with the team. It was incredible."
The score came on only his 10th career catch. He has 25 career receiving yards.
To Rodriguez, the touchdown was another step in his journey, where he's embraced and been embraced in Clemson.
"It's awesome to be a part of this culture and I'm so happy for it," said the Stafford, Va. native. "Coming from what I've gone through to here has been a great transformation going from one military family to a Clemson family."
Rodriguez, a wide receiver, is a U.S. Army veteran who earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal With Valor for his heroism at the Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan. He carried an American flag down The Hill before Clemson's game against The Citadel as part of the Military Appreciation Day festivities.
A student-led Purple Out initiative encouraged fans to wear purple rather than the traditional orange to the game Saturday to represent the significance of the color purple to both the United States military and Clemson. Proceeds from sales of Purple Out T-shirts will benefit campus ROTC units and the Student Veterans Association.
Other Military Appreciation Day activities included recognitions of veterans and active-duty military personnel and military displays on Bowman Field.
"Purple Out is intended to unite students and fans, pay tribute to Clemson's history and show respect for the military and its association with the color purple as a symbol of sacrifice," said Hunter Bagnal, a Student Senate member who led the task force that planned the Purple Out activities. "Our goal is to honor the military, and particularly those who have been wounded in service."
Clemson originally was a military school, and evidence of that heritage isn't difficult to find today. For example, across from Memorial Stadium, which itself is named in memory of fallen soldiers, is the Scroll of Honor Memorial, a tribute to the nearly 500 alumni who died in service to their country.
http://www.stripes.com/sports/u-s/army-vet-with-bronze-star-purple-heart-scores-first-touchdown-1.254617
Sent from my Honey Badger of an iPhone
Anderson (S.C.) Independent Mail
Published: November 25, 2013
CLEMSON -- It was a matter of time, but in Daniel Rodriguez's view, it ended up being more of a matter of timing.
He had his chances for his first career score this season, including one memorable series against Wake Forest in September where he ran a jet-sweep by the goalline three times, but to no avail.
Through three quarters, the original walk-on had his chances against The Citadel.
"There (were) three times where I could have got in," sophomore said, "but the coin didn't go my way."
On Military Appreciation Day of all days, fans, media -- well, pretty much everybody -- expected the Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient to reach the endzone, but Rodriguez wasn't so sure -- until on fourth-and-goal, he walked across the goalline untouched, on a shovel pass from Cole Stoudt.
"To be honest, coach (Dabo) Swinney says act like you've been there before and it's one of those feelings like I never expected to be there and I never thought I'd get there," he said. "I had so much excitement going through me. It was just awesome to be on Military Appreciation Day and hear those fans roar and celebrate with the team. It was incredible."
The score came on only his 10th career catch. He has 25 career receiving yards.
To Rodriguez, the touchdown was another step in his journey, where he's embraced and been embraced in Clemson.
"It's awesome to be a part of this culture and I'm so happy for it," said the Stafford, Va. native. "Coming from what I've gone through to here has been a great transformation going from one military family to a Clemson family."
Rodriguez, a wide receiver, is a U.S. Army veteran who earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal With Valor for his heroism at the Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan. He carried an American flag down The Hill before Clemson's game against The Citadel as part of the Military Appreciation Day festivities.
A student-led Purple Out initiative encouraged fans to wear purple rather than the traditional orange to the game Saturday to represent the significance of the color purple to both the United States military and Clemson. Proceeds from sales of Purple Out T-shirts will benefit campus ROTC units and the Student Veterans Association.
Other Military Appreciation Day activities included recognitions of veterans and active-duty military personnel and military displays on Bowman Field.
"Purple Out is intended to unite students and fans, pay tribute to Clemson's history and show respect for the military and its association with the color purple as a symbol of sacrifice," said Hunter Bagnal, a Student Senate member who led the task force that planned the Purple Out activities. "Our goal is to honor the military, and particularly those who have been wounded in service."
Clemson originally was a military school, and evidence of that heritage isn't difficult to find today. For example, across from Memorial Stadium, which itself is named in memory of fallen soldiers, is the Scroll of Honor Memorial, a tribute to the nearly 500 alumni who died in service to their country.
http://www.stripes.com/sports/u-s/army-vet-with-bronze-star-purple-heart-scores-first-touchdown-1.254617
Sent from my Honey Badger of an iPhone