Eric Weddle life and biography

Eric S. Weddle (born January 4, 1985) is an American football safety for the San Diego Chargers in the National Football League.

When General Manager A.J. Smith brokered a trade with Chicago during the 2007 NFL Draft to move up 25 spots in the second round to select safety Eric Weddle from Utah, he knew he was getting a valuale asset. Thus far, Weddle has validated Smith's judgement.

He led the secondary with 82 tackles in 2009 and intercepted a pair of passes, including one that he returned for a touchdown against Miami. In 2008 as a second-year pro, Weddle started all 16 games and ranked second on the entire team in tackles (135), just one behind team leader Stephen Cooper. He also set a team record with an 86- yard fumblereturn for a touchdown in the Chargers’ game against Atlanta.

While he didn't start in 2007, Weddle was part of a secondary that led the NFL with 30 interceptions. He capped off his first professional season with a timely interception of Peyton Manning at the goal line in the Bolts' Divisional Playoff win over the Colts.

Family is an important part of Weddle’s life. He and his wife, Chanel, have a daughter, Brooklyn Marie, and a son, Gaige. Weddle and Chanel were married in July ’05 in La Jolla, California, just before his junior season at Utah. That year, he and Chanel lived near the Utah State campus in Ogden, Utah, and Weddle commuted nearly an hour each way to his school and workplace at the University of Utah.

Chanel, Weddle's high school sweetheart, played soccer at Utah State.

Growing up about an hour north of San Diego in Alta Loma, California, members of the Weddle family have been Chargers fans for some time, particularly Weddle’s mother, Debbie, and father, Steve. His mom is an elementary school teacher in El Monte, Calif. who has logged more than 30 years in the classroom. Last June, Weddle made a surprise visit to his mom's school and spoke to a majority of the student body. It was a personal highlight for both mother and son.

Weddle is an avid golfer who plays to a seven or eight handicap and bowls once or twice a week, averaging in the 170s. His other hobbies include baseball, basketball and watching movies with Chanel. The Weddles have a Golden Retriever named Chloe.

A special education major at Utah, Weddle tutored students with learning disabilities while he was in school. He also visited Utah’s Primary Children’s Hospital, spoke to children at schools and at the youth correctional facility in Salt Lake City and volunteered for the Food Bank. In San Diego, he and teammate Steve Gregory have teamed up to help the United Way with their "Stuff the Bus" program, which collects new and usedsporting equipment for children in need and those living in foster care.

TRANSACTION HISTORY: Second-round pick (37), April 28, 2007...signed four-year contract, July 24, 2007.

2009: Game Ball for first-career INT return for TD (31 yards) Sept. 27 vs. MIA for 23-6 lead...Game Ball Dec. 25 at TEN in win that clinched No. 2 seed in playoffs...INT pass late 3Q off Vince Young and helped force punt on next series with two-yard TFL vs. NFL’sleading rusher, Chris Johnson.

2008: FR TD (86 yards) Wk 12 vs. ATL…team-high 12 stops in pivotal Wk 15 win at TB and in AFC West clinching win over DEN Dec. 28…led team with three PBUs and shared 4Q TFL in Jan. 5 Wild Card vs. IND…sack among 11 TT in Jan. 11 Divisional
Playoffs at PIT.

2007: Series of third-down big plays in first half of first-career game vs. CHI…third-down TFL, two QB pressures and sack on consecutive series...first-career INT to seal 35-10 win over HOU Oct. 28…one-handed INT prevented TD in 3Q of Divisional Playoff win at IND.

COLLEGE: MWC Defensive POY in 2005 and ’06… second-team All-America as junior, first-team as senior and first-teamAll-MWC both…Def. MVP of 2005 Emerald Bowl…second-team all-conference, honor roll, Dean’s List student and elected to school’s Football Leadership Committee as soph in ’04…Frosh All America, All-MWC honorable mention and Academic All-MWC pick in '03…school-record nine FFs…MWCrecord and second in school annals with 18 career INTs…also second at Utah with three INT TD returns…tied MWC record, eighth in nation and second in school history with seven INTsas senior...only player in school and MWC history to score TDs passing, rushing, on INT return and FR in season (2006) and career…Walter Camp National POW after '06 game vs. San Diego State with three INTs, two returns for TDs and rush score…also in '06, on field for 90 plays vs. Air Force, scoring two rushing TDs and holding for GW FG in 17-14 victory…INT late in 4Q of '06 Armed Forces Bowl vs. Tulsa sealed win in final collegiate game…played at Utah from 2003-06…special education major.

PERSONAL: Born in Fontana, California…two-time Mt. Baldy League Offensive and Defensive MVP, three-time all-league choice, two-time All-CIF selection and league Rookie of Year at Alta Loma (Calif.) HS…led Braves to '00 Mt. Baldy League championship…lettered in basketball and baseball.

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