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How Ethiopian heritage shapes this Wisconsin defensive lineman

A self-styled collage representing Rodas Johnson’s life rests on his left leg.

He describes his tattoos and what they mean in no particular order, but each provides a glimpse into what’s important to him.

One piece on the University of Wisconsin defensive end’s outer calf is of an Ethiopian woman, a person he describes as the strongest in his community because she holds together the family. Another image is that of St. Michael, an important figure in his Orthodox Christian faith. A line of scripture written in the Ethiopian language Amharic sits along his shin.