You know, the NCAA is an easy target for criticism — and, to a large degree, they deserve every bit of it slung their way — but I’ll be damned if they didn’t get it 100 percent right this time.
Back over Memorial Day weekend, John filled y’all in on Daniel Rodriguez, a member of the United States Army since 2007 and veteran of tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq, who planned to walk on at Clemson as a slot receiver. Rodriguez was awaiting clearance from the NCAA so that he would be eligible to play in 2012.
Fortunately, and wisely on the NCAA’s part, Rodriguez has indeed been given the thumbs up from the Association to compete for a roster spot this fall. Because he is going to school on the G.I. Bill, Rodriguez is not on scholarship.
You can read the whole story at Tigernet.com. It’s beyond uplifting, and frankly, a refreshing change of pace given the amount of arrests in the headlines over the past several hours.
Congratulations to Daniel, who has more than earned his opportunity to pursue his dream of playing collegiate football after all that he has sacrificed for this country.
(Photo credit: Daniel Rodriguez)
Congrats to Daniel Rodriguez!! Hope he’s successful at both athletically and academically at Clemson.
And congrats to the NCAA for doing the right thing. But I have to admit my first thought on seeing the headline was shock that they’d cleared him.
Good luck Daniel, and Thank you for your service!!!!
One of the stories that deservedly will be followed closely this year. (Word around Clemson is that people wouldn’t be shocked if he saw significant time early in the Tigers’ first game.)
hate clemson but ill be damned if I can pull against this guy. best of luck to u man! I wish u health and success, just not against my team
Maybe I missed it, but why did Daniel have to wait for the NCAA to clear him. From what? He has never played college ball before this has he? Why is the NCAA even involved in this one?
Good for you Daniel.
To answer the question, the NCAA doesn’t have a damn thing to do with this situation, all Rodriguez has to do is prove eligibility through Clemson’s own compliance office, and submit the paperwork including transcripts and test scores to be forwarded to the NCAA for registration. Dabo had already invited him to walk on so all that was left is passing a medical.
I think the NCAA is trying to grab some PR here but bottom line is if all those other things lined up then its a done deal.
Screw the NCAA, I’m hoping the new conference alignments and pending playoffs bring down the whole damn organization!
Thanks for the response. Just as I thought as well, and I agree that the NCAA appears to be grabbing the spot light here.
Good luck to you Daniel Rodriguez and enjoy your time playing the sport you love.
Daniel:
Congratulations on this recent development and best of luck to you. Thanks so much for serving our country thus allowing us the freedom to write our thoughts on message boards such as these.
G-d Bless You.
To answer your question, pdcooper08, Rodriguez had to clear some NCAA hurdles so that he could compete this season rather than wait a year. To reiterate ghengy’s words, it was more about Clemson’s compliance getting everything in order. Not sure how the NCAA could have said no — although I’m never one to underestimate them — but he needed the clearance regardless.
@vtdcfan….
What a person say or do tells a lot about who they are, and you, I can say confidently, is a bigger person and understand what is truly important.
I applaud you and others for showing support and love towards a true US hero! Go Rudy!!! I mean Daniel!! Hope you the most success and thank you for sacrifice.
If they can let a former pro baseball player come back to play quarterback – they damn well should let one of our servicemen play.