When talking to some reporters who covered Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez at Oklahoma State, they would invariably mention the long-running joke about his wrestling background. Much like the Matthew Stafford/Clayton Kershaw connection, it would be mentioned on just about every television broadcast to the point of obnoxiousness.
But when you really look at the way Rodriguez plays, it’s impossible not to see the wrestling influence on his game. And there was an astonishing moment from his rookie debut against the Philadelphia Eagles that perfectly illustrates that point.
Early in the second quarter, the Eagles faced a second-and-goal from the Lions’ 5-yard line.