|
Paul Rodriguez Jr. is a leading street skateboarder as he makes a name for himself.
His ability has earned him gold at the Summer X Games.
Now the wiry 20-year-old is filling
a rare pair of Nike Signature shoes, a footwear honor currently enjoyed only by active superstar athletes Michael Vick, LeBron
James, Vince Carter, Ken Griffey Jr., Lance Armstrong and Serena Williams. His Paul Rodriguez shoe also is Nike's first pro
skateboard model.
"When I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming a pro skater," he says. "My dreams have been surpassed by
getting my own Nike shoe."
Rodriguez excels in the genre of street skating, which uses environmental objects such as
stair rails, curbs and benches as launching pads for tricks. He won the gold medal in the event at the 2004 Summer X Games
in his hometown of Los Angeles.
"My dad wanted me to go into acting because he could open some doors for me," Rodriguez says. "He didn't see a future
in skating. But I wanted to make a name for myself first."
His dad, who just
finished a movie with Anthony Hopkins and is now creating a Comedy Central show, is a very pleased papa.
"I was the
stupid one who said, 'Skateboarding? Where is that going to get you?' " Paul Sr. says. "He showed me."
|
| on the set of GRIND |
|
