He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 1987 NFL draft with the 24th overall pick.
Due to a loophole in official NFL rules he was the only active running back allowed to wear the number 82 while playing for the San Diego Chargers, a number reserved for wide receivers and tight ends.
Before his sophomore season at Texas A&M, Bernstine reacted negatively after then-A&M coach Jackie Sherrill told him that he was being moved to tight end, after playing a year at running back.
Pookie Bernstine was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 5th Round (118th overall) of the 1982 amateur entry draft (June-Reg).
[5] Bernstine's son, Roderick E. Bernstine Jr., signed a letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Denver in November 2012, but transferred to the University of North Dakota after only one season.