As Texas Tech University linebacker Jacob Rodriguez finds himself on the national football stage, his wife serves our nation from the sky. Although they find success in their respective fields states away from each other, the recent changes in the collegiate NIL (name, image, and likeness) landscape made their wedding ceremony and long-distance marriage possible.
“My wife is living in Alabama right now. For us to be able to be able to fly and see each other, it gets expensive. So, putting funds away to be able to see each other and, kind of take the weight off my shoulders for sure—trying to fill that husband role…,” said Rodriguez.
Originally from Wichita Falls, the starting linebacker for the Red Raiders found himself in Lubbock, Texas, his sophomore season after transferring following his freshman season. That year, Rodriguez made it clear he was at home at Jones AT&T Stadium. Now as a captain for TTU Football, he’s a leader of his team in more ways than one.
Rodriguez did not shy away from speaking incredibly highly of his teammates, both on and off the field. With the new NIL laws introduced during his college football career and support from the non-profit organization The Matador Club, the team is set up for success on the gridiron and in their personal lives.
In exchange for community service with local charities, student-athletes receive NIL compensation and support with money management and investing in their futures. What the student-athletes use the financial assistance for is up to their discretion. Some use it to further their sports careers, while some create financial security for themselves.
“These guys just know what to do. They put their money away for stuff in the future because something's going to happen, and they need to be ready for it. And they understand that…putting their pride to the side and doing the right thing for themselves and their families,” Rodriguez said proudly.
Rodriguez, however, used the initial installments of his Matador Club benefits to give his then-girlfriend a new last name.
“We surprised everybody and turned a fake engagement party into a wedding…and it was definitely one of the greatest days of my life….so The Matador Club definitely helped because, without that, we wouldn't have had the funds to be able to take care of that,” said Rodriguez.
A strong leader on the locker room, Rodriguez has tremendous belief in the players he shares the field with.
“I think we just have a great locker room. I think we have guys who really care about each other and care about the program…so I think that will trickle into games…” Rodriguez went on to say, “I love to play football, and she loves to be in the army, and that's something that we kind of chose. And as hard as it is, we make it happen.”
Are you interested in investing in the future of student-athletes? Support hundreds of Red Raiders just like Jacob when you donate to the Matador Club.