Paul Rodriguez had a goal early on in his skateboarding career, and it was pretty straightforward: get his name on a board and have his own signature shoe.
So when Nike SB initially approached Paul back in 2005, offering a deal to ride for the brand, you’d think it would’ve been a no-brainer, right? Well, that’s where this story pretty much begins.
At the time, Nike was still trying to find its place in skateboarding. And while the offer was life-changing (at least in terms of money and opportunity), it didn’t include a pro model shoe—so Paul respectfully passed. Yep, he turned down the Swoosh. But as we know, the story didn’t end there. Nike came back with an even better offer, and the rest is history. But let’s let Paul tell the story. Press play:
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Since that monumental moment, Paul’s name has been synonymous with Nike SB and he’s accomplished so much with the brand over the last two decades.
In fact, you’d be crazy to say P-Rod didn’t basically pave the way for a new era of skateboarding footwear. Over the years, he’s dropped some undeniably legendary video parts. He’s inspired multiple generations of skateboarders. And he’s continued to stack signature Nike SB models along the way.
Related: Nike SB Celebrates 20 Years of the P-Rod 1 With a Proper Reissue Dropping Mid-May
But what I admire the most is how much the dude simply loves skateboarding—the culture and the physical act. So, needless to say, this story is worth a listen.
With the Nike SB 20-Year Anniversary P-Rod 1 hitting skateshops tomorrow, it’s obviously the perfect time to reflect. Maybe you know the story, maybe you don’t. But it’s pretty inspiring nonetheless. And if anyone deserves it, it’s Paul.
Again, the P-Rod 1 is available Friday, May 16 in select shops and Saturday, May 20 in SNKRS. Get there!
