Leonard Weaver

Infobox NFLactive
name=Leonard Weaver
currentteam=Seattle Seahawks
currentnumber=43
currentpositionplain=Fullback
birthdate=birth date and age|1982|9|23
birthplace=Melbourne, Florida
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=242
debutyear=2005
debutteam=Seattle Seahawks
college=Carson-Newman
undraftedyear=2005
pastteams=
* Seattle Seahawks (2005-present)
status=Active
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Rushing yards
statvalue1=226
statlabel2=Rushing average
statvalue2=4.5
statlabel3=Rushing TDs
statvalue3=1
nfl=WEA679429

Leonard Weaver (born September 23, 1982 in Melbourne, Florida) is an American football fullback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Carson-Newman.

Early years

Weaver attended Satellite High School in Satellite Beach, Florida and was a student and a letterman in football, basketball, and track.

College career

Weaver began his college football career in 2001 at Carson-Newman College as a linebacker, making nine tackles in two starts as a redshirt freshman. The next year he moved to tight end. In 2003, Weaver hauled in 16 receptions for 410 yards and six TDs. In the Division II Playoffs that year, he made a 67 yard touchdown reception.

In his final year, still a TE, 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 [http://thesac.athleticsite.com/] championship and the 2nd round of the Division II playoffs with 27 catches for 571 yards and 8 touchdowns, leading all Eagles receivers.

Professional career

eattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks signed Weaver and converted him to the fullback position. The Seahawks hoped his combination of size, quick feet, and soft hands would complement starting fullback Mack Strong's leadership and blocking.

Weaver performed impressively in 2005 preseason, assuring himself a roster spot in a 7 carry 59 yard performance against the Vikings. In four regular season games he gained 80 yards on 17 attempts for 4.7 a carry, including a 24 yard jaunt versus the 49'ers. Sidelined and hospitalized by illness, Weaver was held out of the NFC Championship and Super Bowl XL.

In the 2006 preseason, he suffered a painful high ankle sprain, causing the Seahawks to put him on injured reserve.

After starting fullback Mack Strong suffered a herniated disk in his neck, prompting him to retire, Weaver was named the Seahawks starting fullback. His first starting game was against the New Orleans Saints, where Weaver had 3 carries for 40 yards and 3 receptions for 53 yards. He recorded his first touchdown against the St. Louis Rams on November 25th 2007 where he scored on a 5 yard run. In the NFC Wild Card game against the Washington Redskins he scored on a 17 yard run.He is a fullback that is capable of playing halfback due to his great athleticism.

A restricted free agent in the 2008 offseason, Weaver signed his one-year, $1.417 million tender offer on April 17.

Cult icon

Although he has had little playing time, Weaver has already developed a highly passionate and fanatic fan base. His strong powerful stiff arm has earned many nicknames (a large amount of them originating on the Seattle Seahawks ESPN message board) such as... LWSA (Leonard Weaver Stiff Arm), The Pacifier, The Baptism, and The Divine Touch. Weaver is also known for his brutal stiff arms on youtube.com, against the Texans in 2005 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=sMZ695sfUiU) and the Colts in the 2006 pre-season matchup (http://youtube.com/watch?v=T8TlNtrpQ6s.

Personal life

Weaver battled depression in college, having suffered some degree personal tragedy which has only been obliquely referred to. His faith and 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. [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/stevekelley/2002479583_kell08.html]

He now lives in Renton, Washington.

Gallery

Seahawks Team Scrimmage -- August 5th, 2006 Cheney, Washington.

External links

* [http://www.seahawks.com/Team/Players.aspx?id=12938 Seattle Seahawks bio]