By Mallory Mattingly
NFL prospect Jacob Rodriguez feels the NFL is nothing compared to what his wife does in the Army.
The linebacker from Texas Tech spoke told PEOPLE how his wife, Emma, an Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot, puts life into perspective.
The couple recently partnered with USAA, the official Salute to Service Partner of the NFL, and Rodriguez got to experience what Emma does daily in a flight simulator.
“It was awesome being able to partner with USAA, Salute to Service,” Rodriguez told PEOPLE. “I think it was a big thing for me and her to be able to be a part of that. It’s something that we truly care about and it’s something that means a lot to us.
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“I got to see how she flies and see what she gets to do on a daily basis…It’s very stressful,” he continued. “To see her in her element, doing what she does, doing what she loves to do, it shows me a deeper appreciation for everything.”
That experience reminded Rodriguez of the sacrifice his wife and other service members make each day.
“All military service members, everybody in that line of work who volunteered to potentially put their life on the line, to protect the country, it’s truly unbelievable,” he said. “It really puts me in a great headspace knowing that she’s out there doing what she loves.”
The couple went long-distance for seven years, but Rodriguez said it was “worth it.”
“You’re just growing and learning every day…It’s very important that you learn how to communicate,” he said. “We get to begin this opportunity to be around each other when we can, but know that we’re always going to be there for each other.”
The couple got engaged in July of 2023, and to their families’ surprise, the couple ended up marrying each other that same night.
“It means so much to have somebody like that in my corner,” the linebacker said of Emma. “I’m just so appreciative of her.”
As Jacob heads for the NFL, he knows he’s ready for his moment.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was three years old. And so being in this position now, it’s been so much fun,” Rodriguez said of going to the NFL. “It’s been such a blessing to just get to know everybody whom I’ve met along this process. It’s been so much fun, and it’s been more than I could ever dream of.”
It looks like the couple has a strong relationship that will continue to deepen as they each work hard and persevere in their respective careers.
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