DeLAND, Fla. – Former Stetson football student-athlete Gerardo Rodriguez recently helped Puerto Rico capture the gold medal at the 2026 IFAF Central American and Caribbean Flag Football Championships in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Rodriguez, a San Juan native and 2020 Stetson graduate, was a member of Puerto Rico's men's national team that finished a perfect 7-0 en route to the regional title. Puerto Rico capped its championship run with a 47-36 victory over Jamaica in the gold medal game after defeating Nicaragua 52-7 in the semifinals. The team also posted victories over Nicaragua (35-6), the Dominican Republic (39-20), El Salvador (35-14), the Cayman Islands (38-0) and Jamaica (36-6) during pool play.
The championship comes during a period of rapid international growth for flag football as the sport prepares for its debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Puerto Rico's victory further strengthens its standing among the top flag football nations in the Caribbean and Central American region.
Before helping Puerto Rico earn gold on the international stage, Rodriguez spent four seasons as a member of the Stetson football program after arriving in DeLand from IMG Academy. A defensive back for the Hatters, he appeared in four games during his collegiate career and earned Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll recognition.
Rodriguez's connection to Puerto Rico football extends well beyond his college days. Prior to arriving at Stetson, he earned MVP honors while representing Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Football Classic and has remained heavily involved in the growth of the sport on the island. He currently serves as the CEO/Founder of Legacy Sports Agency and was recently announced as the National Director and Head Coach of Puerto Rico's Adult National Tackle Football Team.
A Sport Business major with a minor in Professional Sales, Rodriguez graduated from Stetson in 2020. His latest accomplishment adds another chapter to a football career that has spanned high school, college and now international competition.
As Puerto Rico continues to establish itself among the top flag football nations in the region, Rodriguez remains one of several former Hatters making an impact far beyond DeLand.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
