Rodrigo Barnes Obituary

Rodrigo Barnes was an American professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL).

Rodrigo Barnes’  death was announced on May 17th, 2023. No cause of death has been revealed. He’s survived by his four children: Reca Shabazz, Tonya Feggett, Paul Garrett and Terrence Monroe.

A public, black-tie memorial service in celebration of Barnes’ life will be held in Waco during the weekend of June 17-19 2023.

He was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (176th overall) of the 1973 NFL Draft after being passed over by other teams due to his civil rights activism

Rodrigo Barnes was one of four Black athletes who were the first to be integrated into the Rice athletic programme in the autumn of 1968.

In addition to his football accomplishments, hewas the first Black player to be named to the All-Southwest Conference defensive team  he helped found the Black Student Union and led a campaign to hire more minority teachers and coaches.

Rodrigo Barnes, who had been plagued by injuries throughout his career, retired in 1977 and returned to Prairie View A&M to earn his Masters degree in education.

He was most recently the Garland Alternative Education Center’s assistant principal.