LEXINGTON, Ky. — More than NFL draft stock will be on the line for Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez at the league’s scouting combine in Indianapolis this week.
When Rodriguez takes his turn at the bench press on Sunday, he will be working to raise money for lupus research as well as impress NFL teams. Rodriguez’s mother, Stephanie Thornton, died in January after battling the disease.
Rodriguez is soliciting donations for every rep he performs on the bench press at the combine. The money raised will go to the Lupus Foundation of America.
“As this was completely unexpected, my world felt like it turned upside down,” Rodriguez wrote of his mother’s death on his “Pledge It” campaign page. “Without my mom being here physically on Earth, my performance at the combine means that much more as I continue to work to make her proud from above. My strength will never be able to match hers!”
The combine will mark the second time Rodriguez has worked to raise awareness for lupus research during his draft preparations. At the Senior Bowl in February, Rodriguez wore a purple face mask (loaned to him by the LSU equipment team). Purple was Thornton’s favorite color and the color used in lupus awareness campaigns.
Rodriguez is one of four Kentucky players participating in the annual NFL combine this week, along with quarterback Will Levis, cornerback Carrington Valentine and offensive lineman Tashawn Manning.
Fans can donate to Rodriguez’s campaign at Pledgeit.org/chris-rodriguez-jr-strength-against-lupus.
