West Virginia’s Rodney Gallagher to Honor Late Mother in Backyard Brawl

Since family is bigger than football for Rodney Gallagher, he’s found a way to honor his late mother in one of the biggest games of the year.

Gallagher will be wearing a Children’s Grief Awareness decal to remember his mother and honor grieving kids worldwide during the 108th Backyard Brawl. Gallagher’s mother, Crystal, died in 2011 when he was just seven years old.

Back in July, Gallagher announced his intentions to open a program for children who have lost parents.

“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 is hoping 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.

WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose

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.”

The Brawl is the perfect game for Gallagher to do this as a former Western Pennsylvania top recruit who decided to travel south to West Virginia. One of Gallagher’s sisters is also a former Pitt cheerleader.

Gallagher could also be poised to make an impact in the rivalry on the field as well. He’s excepted to be heavily involved as a slot receiver in Rich Rodriguez’s offense.

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 during the 2024 season. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

Gallagher picked up 339 yards in 2024 (288 receiving and 51 rushing). He rushed for 87 yards as a true freshman, picking up 7.4 yards per tote.

At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Gallagher fits the Mountaineers’ offense best as a slot receiver, although he does have the ability to line up outside. Focusing solely on playing receiver could help him live up to his four-star billing.

Find more coverage of Rodney Gallagher at WV Sports Now.

For a related story, WV Sports Now spoke with Rodney Gallagher in an exclusive interview about his sizable donation to WVU Children’s Hospital.