Animal Champion Warrior Legend.

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Every time I read or listen to Daniel Rodriguez's story, whether it's by Dan Rather, himself or someone else, I'm left speechless.

In high school my teammates and I used to call ourselves Animal Champion Warrior Legends. I'm still not sure how to exactly define that phrase. At the time we thought it was a fitting description for a focused team of undersized kids who trained year-round at all hours of the day to win a state championship.

As I've gotten older, and learned more about the world and some of the extraordinary people in it, that phrase pops into my head when no other combination of words will do. For me, it's begun to define winners in life, rather than just those on the field. Daniel Rodriguez is a decorated war hero with more Bronze Stars than Rivals' stars who's also trying to live a dream and play football. He is an ACWL.

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"Ideally Virginia Tech would be the dream, so. I was born and raised a Virginia native, Hokie fan my whole life, so, that'd be the school I want to play for." — Daniel Rodriguez

...

"I think it's likely that I give an undersized, over the age Army guy a chance." — Frank Beamer

I think every Hokie, myself included, hopes this happens.

Comments

ACWL

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Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in bad humor.

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"That kid you're talking to right there, I think he played his nuts off! And you can quote me on that shit!" -Bud Foster

still needs to get

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eric

"My advice to you... is to start drinking heavily."-John Blutarsky

After a little reading this is how I understand it too.

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VT '10--US Citizen; (804) Virginian By Birth; (210) Texan By the Grace of God.

Rick Monday... You Made a Great Play...

I also root for: The Keydets, Army, TexAggies, NY Giants, NY Rangers, ATL Braves, and SA Brahmas