Kelly Rodriguez

CLass of 1930

Rodriguez, a native of Newark, NJ, was a four-year letterman in football and a two-year member of the track and field team. He was a key member of Wesleyan’s first conference championship team in 1926 as a freshman and was named All-WVIAC in 1928 and 1929. Rodriguez played under the legendary Bobcat coach Cebe Ross and was a teammate at Wesleyan to future NFL Hall of Famer Clifford “Gip” Battles.

Rodriguez was a versatile player for the Bobcats, being used as a quarterback, running back, and punter. One of Rodriguez’s more memorable games came against Marshall on Thanksgiving Day in Huntington. The Bobcats entered the game with a 0-4 record, but Rodriguez threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Battles and scored on a short rushing touchdown to lead Wesleyan to a stunning 28-0 victory.

Rodriguez was also one of the first Latin-American players to join the National Football League, playing from 1930-31 for the Frankford Yellow Jackets and the Minneapolis Red Jackets.