B.R. “Poppy” Rodriguez
Inducted 2000
Hometown: Pharr
College: Sul Ross University
Best Known for: Coach-Football
Although he weighed just 160 pounds in high school, Rodriguez was one of the toughest running backs in Valley history, starring for PSJA on the Bears' back-to-back state finals squads in the early 1960s. He rushed for more than 1,700 yards as a senior in 1962, and the rugged, durable back set a Valley mark that season with 44 carries in one game, including 12 totes in a row.
He went on from there to attend Sul Ross University, where he became the Lobos' second-leading receiver on the undefeated juggernaut of 1965.
Rodriguez served as the athletic director of McAllen Independent School District for 28 years from 1984 to 2012. He took the job after piloting McAllen Memorial through its first four seasons starting in 1980. He has been active in all the Valley coaching and administration associations and has also been on the board of directors for the McAllen Parks and Recreation since 1984.