Philadelphia Eagles rookie Tyler Steen never knew his grandfather Rodney Maxwell Davis, but the former Alabama offensive tackle knows the meaning of Memorial Day.

“It’s definitely a big day for us because of my grandfather,” Steen said while attending the Eagles’ rookie minicamp. “But it’s not only a big day for us, it’s a big day for a lot of people across the country that are related or have had people in their family that have tragically passed (in military service).

“It’s obviously a big day. We don’t do anything special, but we acknowledge it and appreciate what he did.”

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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rodney M. Davis died on Sept. 6, 1967, in Quang Nam province in the Republic of Vietnam. For what he did that day, Davis was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on March 26, 1969.

Davis’ Medal of Honor citation reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the right guide of the 2d Platoon, Company B, in action against enemy forces. Elements of the 2d Platoon were pinned down by a numerically superior force of attacking North Vietnamese Army regulars. Remnants of the platoon were located in a trench line where Sgt. Davis was directing the fire of his men in an attempt to repel the enemy attack. Disregarding the enemy hand grenades and high volume of small-arms and mortar fire, Sgt. Davis moved from man to man shouting words of encouragement to each of them while firing and throwing grenades at the onrushing enemy.

“When an enemy grenade landed in the trench in the midst of his men, Sgt. Davis realizing the gravity of the situation and in a final valiant act of complete self-sacrifice, instantly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing with his body the full and terrific force of the explosion. Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, Sgt. Davis saved his comrades from injury and possible loss of life, enabled his platoon to hold its vital position and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

Davis was buried back home in Macon, Georgia.

“My grandfather is a great inspiration to me,” Steen said. “He sacrificed his life. He was selfless. Knowing about that and learning about that as I grew up, that obviously had a huge impact on my life. And the fact that he died for his country, I take great honor in that.

“Growing up in a military-based family, obviously there’s still a lot of discipline and things like that, and I think that honestly prepared me to enter college football and go to Alabama. I think it’s prepared me to enter the NFL.”

Steen served as the Crimson Tide’s left offensive tackle in 2022, his only season with Alabama. He transferred after starting 33 consecutive games at Vanderbilt.

“I think I was a good player coming out of Vanderbilt,” Steen said. “I don’t think I was as good as I wanted to be. I think getting the opportunity to go to Alabama helped me out a lot and helped me improve.”

Steen said he thought his Alabama season helped with “overall consistency, getting stronger in the weight room, more explosive, technique I think helped me out a little bit. And just getting the opportunity to compete against those guys every day, really, really good players, I think that was a great opportunity for me.”

Steen joined the Eagles as the second pick of the third round in the NFL Draft on April 28.

While Philadelphia is set at tackle with Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, the Eagles have an opening at right guard after Isaac Seumalo left in free agency for the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. Philadelphia considers Steen a candidate to fill the vacancy.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.