From Combat Field to College Football - The Story of Daniel Rodriguez

From Combat Field to College Football
Army veteran and Clemson wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez (83) carries the American flag before an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Army veteran and Clemson wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez (83) carries the American flag before an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

(CNN) – Clemson Tiger wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez, 24, will go up against the Louisville Cardinals this Saturday.

The college football player is also an Army veteran, whose journey from the combat field to the football field wasn't so easy.

Five years ago, then-Spc. Rodriguez, was shooting for his life from a mortar pit in Afghanistan. When his outpost – COP Keating - was attacked, insurgents filmed a video of the Virginia native running to defend his position with his best friend Pvt. 1st Class Kevin Thomson.

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