Roderick Manuel

Roderick (Roddy) Manuel – Class of 1993
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, to Lillie Manuel and Willard Anderson Jr., Roderick “Roddy” Manuel’s path was far from easy. Growing up in a tough neighborhood, he witnessed firsthand how quickly life could spiral out of control if you let it. Temptations were everywhere—friends taking shortcuts, giving up on their dreams, or getting lost in the chaos. Roddy faced those pressures head-on, making the hard choices that would shape his future, not because they were easy but because they were necessary.
At Western Hills High School, Roddy’s discipline and focus on his goals set him apart. While others were out late or skipping practice, he was hitting the weight room before dawn, running drills long after the lights went out, and reviewing game footage until he knew his opponents better than they knew themselves. He earned his place as a dominant two-sport athlete, not just through talent but through an iron will that wouldn’t bend under pressure. He became an All-District and All-State honoree in both football and basketball, standing out as a 6’5″ defensive back/linebacker who was selected to the Texas high school Top 100 and the Super Team in 1993.
On the basketball court, Roddy’s raw determination translated into an average of 17 points and 14 rebounds per game as a forward/center. He was a beast under the boards, fighting for every rebound like it was the last play of his career. His intense work ethic made him and Western Hills impossible to ignore, earning him a spot as a McDonald’s All-American candidate, despite the noise around him urging him to take a more comfortable route.
When it came time to choose his next step, Roddy chose the University of Oklahoma. Despite offers that could have taken him in other directions, he knew his journey was about more than just football—it was about proving that discipline and sacrifice would always beat raw talent alone. Even as a freshman, Roddy faced a mas
sive setback when he was shifted from his expected linebacker position to tight end. Many might have folded under the weight of disappointment or let frustration consume them, but Roddy dug in deeper, throwing himself into his new role with the same relentless drive. He lettered as a true freshman and contributed heavily on special teams during the 1993 and 1994 seasons, proving to his teammates and coaches that no challenge could break his spirit.
After enduring a coaching change and battling the uncertainty that comes with it, Roddy finally got his chance to return to defense, his true passion. The journey back wasn’t smooth—there were doubts, injuries, and days where it felt like nothing was going right. But each of those setbacks became another reason for him to push harder, to train longer. Over his defensive career, he racked up 15 quarterback sacks, over 10 QB pressures, 8 tackles for loss, and 95 total tackles. His standout games against UNT and TCU, where he logged multiple sacks and double-digit tackles, didn’t come from a stroke of luck—they were the result of thousands of hours of sweat and grit, grinding through the pain when others had already given up.
In the 1997 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers called his name in the sixth round with the 199th pick. For Roddy, this was the culmination of years of sacrifice, but he knew it was only the beginning. He played through bumps, bruises, and the constant nagging voice of self-doubt that tried to convince him he wasn’t cut out for the league. Even when he was primarily on special teams, he kept his focus sharp, turning every play into a battle to prove he belonged. The Cleveland Browns saw that fire and picked him up in the first round of the 1999 Expansion Draft, ninth overall.
Retirement in 2000 didn’t mean surrender for Roddy—it meant a new chapter. When most players hang up their cleats for good, he reignited his passion in the Arena Football League with the Grand Rapids Rampage. There, he became a s
ymbol of hustle and determination, overcoming setbacks to win MVP honors in the Conference Championship game and leading his team to the 2001 AFL Championship. Roddy’s mantra, “I left home a Cougar and returned a champion,” spoke volumes about his journey from the underdog to the ultimate victor.
Life after football wasn’t without its own set of challenges. Roddy transitioned into the world of acting, where rejection was a daily reality. He fought for roles, landing a major supporting part in the movie “The Game Plan” and making appearances on the TV show “Cheaters.” But his true focus was on raising his son, Roderick Jr., teaching him the same lessons of discipline, integrity, and how to stand tall against the pressures that life throws at you.
Roddy’s greatest achievement came with the founding of Y.A.E. (Young Athlete Empowerment), his non-profit dedicated to mentoring young athletes. He uses his own life as a blueprint—showing them that discipline isn’t about avoiding failure; it’s about getting back up, no matter how many times you get knocked down. He teaches them that setting goals isn’t about dreaming small but daring to envision a future that defies the odds, even when everyone else says it can’t be done.

Roddy Manuel’s story isn’t just about athletic success; it’s about staring down adversity, refusing to be defined by circumstance, and rising above the noise of doubt and fear. From the gritty streets of Fort Worth to the NFL and beyond, his journey is a testament to the power of discipline, the courage to set impossible goals, and the strength to never give in to peer pressure.

Gallery

Videos

Jersey Number

13

Accolade

School

Western Hills High School

Position / Role

Sport

Graduation Year

1993
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