Sean Weatherspoon

Franklin De'Sean "Sean" Weatherspoon (born December 29, 1987), better known as "Spoon," is an American football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He played college football at University of Missouri, and was drafted by the Falcons with the 19th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

High school career
Weatherspoon attended Jasper High School in Jasper, Texas where he was a versatile athlete who was an accomplished three-sport star in Texas, including as a linebacker in football. Sean was the 2006 recipient of the defensive Willie Ray Smith Award. He was named the Texas District 22-3A player of the year as a senior; after making 98 tackles in 2005 for the Jasper Bulldogs. Sean had 8 tackles for loss in 2005, and added 4 quarterback sacks along with 2 interceptions from his linebacker position as well. His high school football career also included a 2nd-Team All-State pick. Sean also played receiver on offense, and had 27 catches for 428 yards and 7 TDs. He was a 1st-Team All-District selection as a junior in 2004 at linebacker, after registering 105 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 QB sacks and 3 interceptions. He was named the 22-3A defensive newcomer of the year as a sophomore in 2003; when he amassed 101 stops, 3 tackles for loss, 1 QB sack and 2 interceptions. He was an All-State high jumper in track, and an All-District performer as a guard in basketball.

Considered only a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Weatherspoon was not ranked among the best linebacker prospects in the nation. He chose Missouri over Iowa State, Houston, Tulane, and TCU, among others.

College career
One of only four true freshmen to play for the Tigers in 2006, Weatherspoon saw action in all 13 games, primarily on various special teams units, and was named Mizzou's special teams player of the year, as he led the team with 9 tackles on kickoff coverage. Weatherspoon was listed as the backup on the depth chart at middle linebacker to senior co-captain Dedrick Harrington, and had 17 tackles in all for the season.

As a sophomore, Weatherspoon became a starter at weakside linebacker and blossomed into a leader on the field. He led the team with 130 tackles, and also broke up 8 passes on the year (2nd-most on the team). Weatherspoon received All-Big 12 First Team honors by the Associated Press, San Antonio Express-News, and Rivals.com in 2007.

In 2008, Weatherspoon finished the season with 155 tackles, which were the 2nd-most in Missouri single-season history, trailing only to Travis McDonald (164 in 1994). He also had 18.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions (2 of which he returned for touchdowns), and also broke up 7 passes. In the 2008 Alamo Bowl, Weatherspoon was named the game's defensive MVP after registering 17 tackles. He announced after the game that he had filed for the 2009 NFL Draft, but just to see where he would rank, and that he would return for his senior season.

Professional career
Weatherspoon was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons 19th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He signed a five-year contract worth $17.5 million on July 29, 2010. In his 2010 season, Weatherspoon recorded 42 total tackles and one sack.

In 2011, he became the full-time starter at outside linebacker. He recorded 82 solo tackles, 33 assists, 4.0 sacks, 8 passes defensed, and 1 fumble recovery.

In 2012, Weatherspoon was named captain of the Falcons' defense receiving play calls on the field.

Personal
Sean was born to Develous Weatherspoon and Elwanda Martin Weatherspoon in Greenville, South Carolina in 1987. He has an older sister Wanda and two older brothers Douglas and Develous Jr. Sean is the second cousin of former WNBA star Teresa Weatherspoon. The family originated in Pineland, Texas and moved to Greenville, South Carolina in 1984. The family moved back to Texas in 1988, settling in Jasper, Texas.