At five foot eight, 175 pounds, Daniel Rodriguez was an unlikely recruit for the gridiron. But on the battlefield, under the rain of sniper fire, he made a promise to his best friend. "When I get out of this shit hole, I'm going to play college football." Daniel joined the Army just weeks after graduating from high school. Almost immediately, he was deployed to Iraq, where he grew up fast. He fought in the infamous Battle of Kamdesh and was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for bravery. His bestfriend was not so lucky. Against all odds, Daniel returned home, broken but alive. Stuck in the clutches of PTSD, he remembered the promise he made to his friend and embarked on a grueling training regimen. When he posted a video of his efforts, it went viral, and he ultimately earned a spot on the Clemson University football team. This powerful, inspiring narrative of a young soldier, his unlikely dream, and how he found his way out of darkness will resonate with anyone who has ever fought for what theywanted.
