Army war veteran Daniel Rodriguez cleared to walk on Clemson football team
CLEMSON — Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran Daniel Rodriguez was cleared Friday by the NCAA to walk on the Clemson football team for the 2012 season.
Rodriguez was wounded in October 2009 while engaged in fighting with Taliban soldiers while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, earning both a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He also served a tour of duty in Iraq.
He was honorably discharged and became interested in pursuing a college football career, creating a video that served as his recruiting film, and which caught the eye of Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.
Rodriguez visited Clemson in the spring and was offered a chance to walk on by Swinney.
Rodriguez started for three years at Brooke Pointe High School in Stafford, Va. playing receiver, safety, cornerback and special teams.
He enlisted in the Army in 2007 and was sent to Iraq after basic training following his high school career.
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