A popular Arlington high school football coach has died after a prolonged fight with COVID-19, according to the family.
Arlington High School Sam Houston coach Joey Rodriguez died Sunday afternoon according to a post shared on social media by his wife Lena Rodriguez.
“My love has entered eternity where it can now be the father of our three babies in paradise. At 5:45 p.m. tonight, the Lord welcomed Joey to his eternal home. Thank you very much for your prayers and support. There will be more words later, but I have very few at the moment ”, Léna wrote online. “Such sadness on earth, but rejoicing in paradise. Joey, you are and always will be the strongest man I know. “
Rodriguez had been battling COVID-19 for over a month. NBC 5 spoke with his family in mid-September and learned that several years ago the father of three was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that turned a simple cold into pneumonia.
When Rodriguez tested positive for COVID-19, even though he had been vaccinated, Lena knew it could be serious.
“We are still in public schools, I am a teacher in a public school, our children are in school and there is no mandate in place. So you almost felt like it was a matter of time because this new variant is so strong, ”Lena Rodriguez told NBC 5 in September.
Since the start of the school year, the Arlington Independent School Board has twice refused to adopt a mask warrant citing “personal choice” and the threat of legal action from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has vowed to prosecute those who ignored Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates. in schools.
Longtime Sam Houston High School football coach from Arlington ISD is in hospital fighting for his life after contracting COVID-19, according to his family.
Rodriguez was put on a ventilator at Mansfield Methodist Medical Center last month and only his wife was allowed to visit him.
“The first two times it was really tough,” Lena Rodriguez told NBC 5 in September. “To see firsthand how ugly this virus and disease can be to someone you love with everything inside of you, it’s part of you, the father of your children. “
–
–
–
–
Rodriguez family photo Joey and Lena Rodriguez hold hands in her Mansfield hospital room. She is the only person allowed to visit her husband.
As Rodriguez continued to fight, his wife visited his football team who then sent a signed shirt to hang in her hospital room.
Funeral arrangements are in progress. Lena Rodriguez said on Twitter that her husband’s memorial will be held in North Texas “and I would love to see the football community celebrate their life and legacy with us.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help the family cover the costs of Rodriguez’s funeral.
–
