From the 507 to the 318
By: Lance Snow
Updated: November 4, 2012
(Bossier City, LA) Burned into Jose Rodriguez' left arm is the area code 507. It signifies where he comes from.
"507 is because I was born in Panama City," Rodriguez said. "I'm just real proud of where I come from."
It's what's missing from his right arm that signifies what he's been through.
He was an athlete before he was born and playing too hard caused his first athletic injury right out of the womb.
"I was doing backflips in my mom's stomach and the umblical cord got wrapped around this area right here."
The prenatal mishap brought he and his mother to the United States in search of a prosthetic arm, that he chooses not to wear.
"Right now, it's in the closet cause I never got used to it. I just don't like it."
A 17-year old with no right arm and he's a starting offensive lineman for the Bossier High School Bearkats.
His football Coach Mike Concillio can relate to Rodriguez' path to Bossier City.
Concilio was born of Italian heritage. His father, a former coach at Bossier High, moved to the south part of the United States in search of a cure for illness.
"His dad (my grandfather) was starting to suffer from diabetes," Concilio said. "They thought, at the time, the cure was to move to a place of warmer temperatures. That's what the doctor told them. So they moved to Florida, I ended up getting a football scholarship to Northwestern State University and that's how I ended up here."
Coach Concilio and Jose, traveling separate paths, arriving at the same place: Bossier City, LA. Both proud of where they come from and both proud of what Jose's accomplished, even without his right arm.
He lights up when he talks about his perceived handicap and what he can do to opposing lineman.
"I put this hand on the shoulder pad, and this one goes straight for the throat," he said with laughter. "But I'm totally serious."
Coach Concillio's proud of what Jose's turned into on and off-the-field.
"He and I had a long, in-depth conversation once. I said, 'Jose, I know you don't understand this, but one day, you're going to have a story to tell. You're gong to have a fascinating story to tell somebody. Completing football, graduating, he's been working as a waiter the past two years. It's really, really unique. He motivates us all, in some way, form, or fashion."
