Kentucky offensive lineman announces medical retirement from football
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Kentucky is losing one player as the Wildcats embark on training camp for the 2024 season.
The player is Paul Rodriguez, an offensive lineman who was entering his 4th season in the program. He saw action throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons but announced he is medically retiring from football on Wednesday.
According to Rodriguez’s announcement, the retirement is related to a back and spinal injury.
“Due to a lower back and spinal injury I’ve unfortunately medically retired from the game of football,” Rodriguez wrote on social media. “I want to thank all the coaches and my teammates for the past three years.
“There’s no place I’d rather be. It’s hard for me to walk away from the game I’ve been playing since I was a little kid but I believe everything happens for a reason!”
@UKFootball pic.twitter.com/UeNbppyj58
— Paul Rodriguez (@PaulRod67) July 31, 2024
Rodriguez was originally a member of the 2021 recruiting class for the Wildcats. After redshirting his freshman season, he would appear in 22 games the last 2 seasons. His retirement is a hit to the depth for Kentucky after losing a veteran in the locker room.
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Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
