Former Carson-Newman Standout Leonard Weaver Has Important Role for Seahawks

In the Seattle Seahawks' Christmas Eve victory over the Indianapolis Colts, rookie fullback Leonard Weaver pulled in a Matt Hasselbeck pass for a 12-yard gain.

As he jogged back to the huddle he glanced at the scoreboard and saw "Leonard Weaver, Rookie, Carson-Nevada."

An honest mistake, but one that's expected when players come from Division II schools.

It's become such a common occurrence that Weaver says he has lost count of how many times he's had to explain to his teammates and others where Carson-Newman College is.

After all, he's on a team where players come from Division I powerhouses such as Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State.

"I've had to explain it plenty of times and they still mess it up," Weaver said in a phone interview. "But anytime you're a rookie nobody knows you."
A year ago Weaver was in his final semester in Jefferson City, trying to graduate and rigorously train in hopes of landing a roster spot in the NFL.

A year later and 2,634 miles away, the 6-foot, 251 pound Weaver will play in the biggest game of his life as the Seahawks face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday's Super Bowl.

"To be a part of this team's success is indescribable," said Weaver. "The feeling is great, and so far it's been a great experience."
A native of Melbourne, Fla., Weaver helped lead Carson-Newman to a 9-3 record and a South Atlantic Conference Championship his senior season. He led the Eagles with 27 receptions for 571 yards and eight touchdowns, earning Division II All-America honors from the Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association among others.

He was signed as a free agent by the Seahawks on April 24 and has been a key piece to the Seahawks' run to a 13-3 record and NFC West Championship.

Not only did Weaver have to make the transition from Division II to the professional level, the Seahawks decided to turn Weaver into a fullback.

The difference?

"The collisions," Weaver said. "The speed of the game is so much faster here than at the D-II level. I'm not running routes anymore. I'm not right on the line. I'm coming from six or seven yards in the backfield and blocking."
Not bad seeing that he's spent most of the season blocking for league Most Valuable Player Shaun Alexander.

Weaver saw action in all 16 of Seattle's regular-season games, rushing for 80 yards on 17 carries and catching one pass for 12 yards.

However, the adjustments Weaver had to make didn't stop with X's and O's, the 23-year-old had to get used to seeing some players he used to be in awe of as he watched them on television.

"I remember when we played Atlanta (Falcons)," Weaver said. "The first guy I saw was Mike Vick and I was like, 'Wow, I get to see this guy play in real life.' "
Luckily for Weaver, he didn't have to get used to rookie mistreatment. Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren eliminated rookie hazing this year. Weaver said his veteran teammates have been supportive and helpful as he tries to improve.

"I thought when I first got here that these guys were going to treat me like crap," Weaver said. "When I got here they treated me with open arms, even though I was a rookie.

"They would help me out and say, 'Hey, this is how you do this' or 'Why don't you try that.' "

As the season progressed Weaver has developed a fan base and is recognized in Seattle. He also has had to get used to signing autographs, something he admits he and his friends would jokingly practice when they were younger.

Weaver recalls a game against Green Bay when a fan asked him to sign his rookie card.

"I didn't even know I had a rookie card," Weaver said.
Despite his newfound success, Weaver remains humble and hasn't forgotten the training and support he received at Carson-Newman. The support was evident this season when the Seahawks played the Tennessee Titans in Nashville and offensive coordinator Mike Turner and "a lot of Carson-Newman fans" attended the game to support him.

From Florida to Carson-Newman to Seattle and a nationally televised playoff game, Weaver couldn't ask for more as a rookie from a Division II school in East Tennessee. He knows the lessons he learned at Carson-Newman helped and hopefully will help other players from small colleges with hopes of making it to the NFL.

"One thing Coach (Ken) Sparks always preached about is keeping the faith in God, and that's what's kept me going. I truly believe that," Weaver said. "I'd tell those guys it's all about the attitude you have to have. If I can make it, they can, too. If they're looking up to me, that's a compliment."