How might you cope with PTSD?
I hope you never have to answer one of these two questions. And I’m sure Clemson’s oldest football player, a 24 year-old walk-on football player, Daniel Rodriguez, never thought he would serve as an answer for both.
On one account, Daniel’s story is not unique. He enters conflict and confronts the
enemy. He lives and yet he
dies. His resurrection however is
a source of inspiration and it is one that his teammates now share. It is found in a promise he made to a
friend; a promise that involves his passion—football.
A Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Kickoff Coverage by Robert Weintraub reports
On Oct. 3, 2009, Rodriguez was deployed in Nuristan Province, in the far northeastern corner of Afghanistan along the Pakistan border. He was a sergeant and had experienced a year of fighting in Iraq. About 50 United States and Afghan soldiers manned Combat Outpost Keating, a forward operating base near the remote town of Kamdesh.
Keating, surrounded by towering mountains, was in a place that “just bred terrorists,” Rodriguez said. Just after dawn, while Rodriguez was checking a computer, a coordinated attack, involving at least 175 enemy gunmen and perhaps twice that number, was mounted.
Shortly before, Rodriguez had promised his close friend, Pfc. Kevin Thompson, that if he made it home, he would chase his dream of playing college football. When the battle began, Thompson was killed almost instantly, one of eight Americans to die in a day of intense fighting. Rodriguez was wounded in his leg, neck and shoulder.
When Rodriguez completed his
mission, he returned home with a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star and the
psychological effects of war, which amounted to Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder. In the video he says, “I couldn’t sleep at night. I was waking at night in a sweat. Sleeping on the couch with firearms under my pillows. I
couldn’t live. I was basically
drunk for the first two months I was home. My leveling point was when I went to
Arlington National Cemetery and then my life doesn’t seem so difficult."
"I have to live my life with a desire to
do better." Wise words.
Rodriguez regained his purpose by
remembering his promise—the promise he made to Thompson. Rodriguez committed to
getting back in shape, pushed on by his pledge and a friend who used creativity
and inspiration to further that dream.
His friend, Stephan Batt teamed with his cousin who said, "If you trust me to shoot and edit as a short fil, rather than as a standard recruiting video, it'll have a better chance of catching the notice of coaches." “
Fortunately, Clemson coach Dabo Swiney
took notice. Taken by his work
ethic, his drive to chase a dream and the fact that he wasn’t asking for a
scholarship, but rather for a chance to fulfill a promise--Coach Swiney offered him a spot as a preferred walk-on.
But the story of Daniel Rodriguez is one
that could be entitled: The promise kept; the dream realized. And it inspires
all of us to remember how our promises have power; our dreams can bring us out
of darkness.
November is a month to give thanks—for saints and souls for freedom
and those that defend it. Although
Veteran’s Day was over a week ago, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, it’s never
too late to extend gratitude to men and women who give their lives in service
of our country. Thank you Daniel
Rodriguez, Kevin Thompson and thousands of other men and women as well as your
families back home for your promises and your dreams.
Photo Credits
Freedom isn't Free
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