OAKVILLE — On the field, Oakville High School’s Daniel Rodas has continued to post eye-popping numbers in 8-man football, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards once again and putting his name into various record books.
His contributions off the field have an equal value.
Rodas was selected by the Seattle Seahawks as its 2024 Latino Youth Honors male nominee through the NFL’s Latino Youth Honors program last month.
He was honored at the Latino/Hispanic Heritage Game when the Seahawks took on the New York Giants in September.
“I’m happy for myself because I never thought I’d get picked for something like this,” Rodas said. “It didn’t feel real. Standing in the endzone, just looking at all those fans. It was crazy.”
Oakville-North River head coach Skyler Davis praised the leadership of his senior after it pulled out a homecoming victory over Sound Christian.
The Acorns gravitate towards Rodas, players and coaches, and they intently listen when he speaks.
“It is all him and his heart,” Davis said. “For him to get that is so special. That’s the culture I’m talking about.”
Rodas really honed in his leadership qualities once he became an upperclassman. From there, it continued to build. He mentioned how he’ll always pick up a teammate on the sideline or look out for a kid who is getting bullied in the hallway.
Gio Rodas, ONR’s star quarterback and younger brother of Daniel, was beaming with pride when Acorns AD Christina Mootz delivered the news during practice.
“He’s been doing good things on and off the field since we were little kids,” Gio said. “I always put faith in my little brother.”
The female nominee was Alicia Wheatley, a flag football player from Olympia. The pair were gifted with several items and if either one is selected as one of the eight finalists, grant awards for college and being able to participate in events during Super Bowl LIX week in New Orleans is up for grabs.
Mainly, what Rodas and the Acorns are focusing on is a deep playoff run. At 5-2 overall, they have already clinched a crossover spot and a win there gets them into the seeded 16-team Class 1B bracket.
“I just try to keep people up, if they're having a bad day, lift them up,” Rodas said. “Check in on them. The little things.”
