Steve Gann
Sandra 1Leonard "The Bishop" Weaver
December 30th 2009 03:44
:
Leonard "The Bishop" Weaver
One of those guys is the Eagle's fullback Leonard Weaver, who was just named to the 2010 Pro Bowl.
What makes his accomplish even more outstanding is that Leonard never even played fullback till he arrived in the NFL.
Weaver grew up in Satellite Beach, Florida earning letters in football, basketball, and track. Leonard played halfback and quarterback on the football team.
He would sign to play football for Division II powerhouse Carson-Newman in Jefferson City, TN for legendary coach Ken Sparks, a past president of the American Football Coaches Association. It was during this time when I first got to see Leonard play on the field as he would start at linebacker before becoming an All-American at tight end. Football in DII is different to say the least. Many times Carson-Newman players would sit outside for halftime talks and you could listen in and see guys getting re-taped or sometimes stitched up. It is a rare look that many fans don't ever get to see in college or pro football.
It was at CN, which is a Baptist college, that Weaver would earn the nickname The Bishop. His grandfather, who is a bishop and has a street named after him, no doubt influenced Leonard's faith and love of Christian themed R&B music. From what I have read Leonard continues his mission work in the pros.
After college he was signed as a free agent by the Seattle Seahawks where he would earn a starting position when fullback Mack Strong was forced to retire.
Weaver would stay with the Seahawks before leaving to sign a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles this year where he has filled in for the injured Brian Westbrook as a great runner as well as a good reciever.
Weaver has averaged over 4 yards per carry every year of his career, a good stat for a fullback who generally get short yardage carries.
Leonard is married and has three sons. I hope to one day see one in a Carson-Newman jersey.
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