Purple Heart Recipient & NFL Recruit
Daniel Rodriguez: Biography at a Glance
- Daniel Rodriguez has had an incredible journey that includes walking on to the Clemson football team after surviving the bloodiest battle of the war in Afghanistan.
- After earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his bravery, Rodriguez returned home and began to experience the psychological effects of the war which led to mental health and substance abuse issues.
- Remembering a vow he had made to his close friend and fellow soldier who did not survive the war, he took steps to fulfill his promise to get his education and play college football at Clemson.
- During his senior season with the Tigers, he published his autobiography Rise: A Soldier, A Dream and a Promise Kept, the firsthand account of his journey from Kamdesh to Clemson.
- Rodriguez also portrayed himself in Netflix’s The Outpost, the #1 streamed movie of 2020, and just completed filming another movie in Thailand with John David Washington.
- As a speaker, Daniel reminds audiences what it means to take control of one’s life with hard work and determination to succeed.
Media
Videos
Biography
Daniel Rodriguez has had an incredible journey. After surviving the bloodiest clash of the war in Afghanistan, he left the military and walked on the Clemson football in order to fulfill a promise to a friend who died on the battlefield.
Rodriguez’s father passed away four days after his high school graduation. He sought out the military and spent 15 months in Iraq before heading to Afghanistan, where he found himself in the bloodiest battle of the war. As more than 300 Tailban assaulted his combat outpost, it was partially overrun and nearly destroyed. During the 18-hour point-blank battle, eight U.S. soldiers were killed, including Rodriguez’s close friend, Pfc. Kevin Thompson.
The two had bonded over making plans for what they would do after they got out of the military. Six months later, Rodriguez returned home only to battle the psychological effects of war. After earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his bravery, suicidal thoughts and heavy drinking became the new normal. Spurred by the desire to make his friend’s death meaningful, Rodriguez decided to make a change. He enrolled in community college, raised his grades, and vowed to make good on the promise he had made to Thompson – to get his education and play college football.
While at Clemson, Rodriguez was honored with the Discover Orange Bowl Courage Award for his display of courage on and off the field. He also received the Armed Forces Merit Award, presented by the Football Writers Association of America and honoring an individual with a military background that has made an impact in college football. During his senior season with the Tigers, he published his autobiography Rise: A Soldier, A Dream and a Promise Kept, the firsthand account of his journey from Kamdesh to Clemson. He was awarded the American Hero Award by the Walter Camp Foundation and was the Veteran Leadership Honoree at the 9th Annual Heroes Gala presented by the IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America). Rodriguez graduated with honors from Clemson and briefly signed with the now LA Rams of the NFL.
Never asking for a handout, only a chance, he reminds audiences what it means to take control and work to succeed with determination. Rodriguez shares the story of how he came back from the edge of war to honor his friend’s life and create a new one for himself. His accomplishments resonate with anyone who has ever fought for what they wanted.
Rodriguez portrayed himself in Netflix’s The Outpost, the #1 streamed movie of 2020, and just completed filming another movie in Thailand with John David Washington. He also started creating music, fulfilling a longtime goal of becoming a music artist. Rodriguez currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
Topics
Determination, Grit, and Perseverance: The Journey from Kamdesh to Clemson
Daniel Rodriguez shares the unforgettable story of how he survived one of the bloodiest battles in Afghanistan and lived to pursue his dream of playing college football. Never asking for a handout, only a chance, he reminds audiences what it means to take control and work to succeed. With grit, determination, and the power of social media, he inspires audiences to tap into their potential and work to make their lives meaningful. An emotionally-moving storyteller, he shares how he found his way out of darkness and accomplished his unlikely dream, coming back from the edge of war in order to honor his friend’s life and create a new one for himself. This powerful keynote resonates with anyone who has ever fought for what they wanted.
FAQs
How do I book Daniel Rodriguez for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Daniel Rodriguez to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Daniel Rodriguez's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Daniel Rodriguez’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Daniel Rodriguez in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Daniel Rodriguez's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Daniel Rodriguez's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Daniel Rodriguez, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Daniel Rodriguez's speaking fee?
Daniel Rodriguez's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Daniel Rodriguez's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Daniel Rodriguez's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Daniel Rodriguez as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Daniel Rodriguez as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Daniel Rodriguez's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Daniel Rodriguez's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Daniel Rodriguez for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Daniel Rodriguez speaking engagements.
Official contact for Daniel Rodriguez bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/daniel-rodriguez
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Daniel Rodriguez.
Is Daniel Rodriguez available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Daniel Rodriguez speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Daniel Rodriguez's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Daniel Rodriguez's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Daniel Rodriguez's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Daniel Rodriguez for?
Book Daniel Rodriguez for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Daniel Rodriguez customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Daniel Rodriguez engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Daniel Rodriguez can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Daniel Rodriguez booking information and availability
Check Daniel Rodriguez's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Daniel Rodriguez for your preferred event date.
Book Daniel Rodriguez keynote speaker through CAA
Book Daniel Rodriguez through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Daniel Rodriguez, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Daniel Rodriguez's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
- Full logistics coordination
- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Daniel Rodriguez for your next event.
Will Daniel Rodriguez speak at private events?
Yes, Daniel Rodriguez speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Daniel Rodriguez's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Daniel Rodriguez?
CAA Speakers responds to Daniel Rodriguez booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Daniel Rodriguez?
Book Daniel Rodriguez 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Daniel Rodriguez pricing information?
Get Daniel Rodriguez pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.