Rodney Gallagher III to Open Program for Children Who Have Lost Parents

WVU wide receiver Rodney Gallagher III announced his intention to open a program that assists children whose parents have died in a video on X Tuesday.

Gallagher’s mother, Crystal, died in 2011 when he was just seven years old.

Luv Momma💕 pic.twitter.com/lZnWg0Z1Pr

— Rodney Gallagher 3rd (LLC💕) (@Rodney_G3) July 1, 2025

“When I lost my mother at the age of seven, I wish I had someone like as a role model to help me get through the tough times of losing a parent,” Gallagher said in the video. “That’s why I’m starting a program to help kids that lost a parent.”

Gallagher looks to help mentor and comfort children who have experienced the loss of a parent through multiple methods.

“I’m gonna help mentor them. I’m gonna teach them things and just, you know, either go to lunch, play video games with them and do things that they like to help keep their mind off of it,” Gallagher said.

The junior wide receiver opened up about the challenges of losing his mother at a young age.

“I kind of really didn’t understand what was all going on when it happened, but as I got older, obviously I started to understand that she wasn’t gonna be around anymore,” Gallagher said. “And like I said, it was a hard time for me and my sisters and also my father.”

Gallagher has contributed to WVU on both sides of the field, and scored his first career touchdown to secure a win against Kansas on Sept. 21. 

Sophomore Rodney Gallagher III scores the touchdown that would seal the win for the Mountaineers in a win over Kansas during the 2024 season. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

Production wise, Gallagher took a big step during his sophomore year in 2024, making 26 receptions for 288 yards and scoring three touchdowns. He had only 10 catches for 74 yards in limited time as a freshman.

Find more coverage of Rodney Gallagher at WV Sports Now.

For a related story, Gallagher talked to WV Sports Now in an exclusive interview after he made a sizable donation to WVU Children’s Hospital in September 2024.