Chris Rodriguez Jr. honoring late mother with unique facemask during Senior Bowl

Chris Rodriguez Jr. is trying to boost his stock for the NFL Draft during the Reese’s Senior Bowl this week. He’s also honoring his late mother in a special way for Saturday’s game.

On Friday, Jim Nagy — Executive Director of the Senior Bowl — referenced Rodriguez losing his mother unexpectedly on Jan. 11. Rodriguez’s mother also battled Lupus with the awareness color for Lupus being purple.

To honor his mom, Rodriguez will don a purple mask on his traditional blue Kentucky helmet in the game. Nagy also revealed LSU provided an assist by loaning rodriguez the facemask. A very cool story all the way around.

Kentucky RB Chris Rodriguez Jr’s mom unexpectedly passed away on Jan. 11. She had Lupus. Awareness color is purple, which was also her favorite color. In tomorrow’s @seniorbowl, Chris will be wearing purple facemask loaned from LSU football. Incredible way to honor his mom. ?? pic.twitter.com/ab0ZDTPSjS

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 3, 2023

Rodriguez finished his career with 3,643 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns for the Wildcats. He ranks 3rd on Kentucky’s all-time rushing list.

Saturday’s Senior Bowl will be broadcast at 2:30 pm ET on the NFL Network.