Leonard Weaver
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| Leonard Weaver | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | September 23, 1982 |
| Place of birth | Melbourne, Florida |
| Position(s) | FB |
| College | Carson-Newman College |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 2005-present | Seattle Seahawks |
Leonard Weaver (born September 23, 1982 in Melbourne, Florida) is an American football fullback for the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. He was signed April 24th 2005 as an undrafted free agent out of Carson-Newman College.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] College career
Leonard Weaver began his college football career, in 2001, as a linebacker, wrapping up nine tackles in two starts as a redshirt freshman. The next year he began what would prove to be an auspicious move to tightend. In 2003, Weaver hauled in 16 receptions for 410 yards and six TDs. At Valdosta State College, in the Division II Playoffs, he made a 67 yard reception and score to pad his 2003 statistics. In his final year, still a TE, Leonard Weaver earned Division II All-American honors from the AP, American Football Coaches Association and others. He lead the 9-3 Carson-Newman Eagles to a conference[1] championship and the 2nd round of the Division II playoffs with 27 catches for 571 yards and 8 trips to the endzone, leading all Eagles receivers.
[edit] NFL career
Following his signing with the Seattle Seahawks, the 6'0" 251 lb Weaver undertook another conversion project: That of Tightend to Fullback. The Seahawks hoped his combination of rare size, quick feet, and soft hands would mix well with Mack Strong's leadership and ferocious blocking. Thus transforming him from unheralded tightend into the ultimate weapon to compliment Shaun Alexander and worthy heir to Mack Strong's perhaps unheralded legacy.
The project has not yet lost its luster. Weaver had a very full 2005 preseason, assuring himself a roster spot in a 7 carry 59 yard performance against the Vikings. His dynamic 31 yard gallop put the Seahawks up 14-10 in the 3rd quarter. He also had opportunities in four regular season games where the Seahawks had dominated their opponents compiling a respectable 80 yards on 17 attempts for 4.7 a carry, including a 24 yard jaunt verses a worn 49'ers. Sidelined, and hospitalized, by illness Weaver was held out of the NFC Championship and Super Bowl XL.
The 2006 training camp offered some promise. He continued to impress his coaches, and perhaps more tellingly Mack Strong who reported “He’s going to redefine the fullback position when he gets the opportunity.[2]" The coaches planned to make the Seahawks final preseason game of 2006 something of a showcase for Leonard Weaver. He was expected to play nearly the entire game and show everyone the fruits of the previous years hard won lessons. His first run went for a 9 yard gain, but ended in a serious injury. For him, the game ended with a notoriously difficult and painful high ankle sprain, causing the Seahawks to put him on injured reserve.
[edit] Personal life
Born September 23, 1982. Prepped at Satellite High.
Leonard Weaver battled depression in college, having suffered some degree personal tragedy which has only been obliquely referred to. His faith an community involvement are of great importance to him. He had been nicknamed "The Bishop" in college for his proclivity to spend free time traveling with a ministry in the off-season singing Christian themed R&B music.[3]
He now lives in Bellevue, WA, with his wife Senetra and son Leonard IV.
Weaver is also known affectionaltely as Pac Man by those he went to high school with, where he got the nickname from, nobody knows. Whether or not his NFL teammates call him this is unknown
[edit] Gallery
Seahawks Team Scrimmage -- August 5th, 2006 Cheney, Washington.
 Weaver starts to return a kick |
 Weaver jogs back for another opportunity |
 Weaver threatens to break one |
 Setting up against the 1st team redzone defense |
