Norris Weese

Norris Weese

Norris Lee Weese (August 12, 1951 - January 20, 1995) was a star quarterback for Chalmette High School and the University of Mississippi. He had the unenviable task of replacing Mississippi QB legend Archie Manning, but performed quite well despite the big shoes to fill. He played the 1974 season for The Hawaiians in the World Football League before joining the NFL. Weese spent four seasons in the NFL playing for the Denver Broncos(1976-1979), mostly as a backup quarterback.

In Super Bowl XII against the Dallas Cowboys, where his famed high school head coach Bobby Nuss held the chains, Weese replaced starter Craig Morton in the third quarter after Morton nearly threw his 5th interception. Weese led the Broncos to a touchdown on the drive to cut his team's deficit to 20-10, but he lost a fumble in the fourth quarter, setting up a Dallas touchdown that put the game away. Weese was known for being a mobile QB.

Weese was named starting quarterback for the Broncos in 1979, but a knee injury that year ended his NFL career. He finished his career with 1887 passing yards, seven touchdowns and fourteen interceptions. Weese went on to become a Certified Public Accountant in Denver, Colorado.

Norris Weese died on January 20, 1995, of bone cancer.

He was survived by his wife, Sandy; his daughters, Melissa and Andrea, and his son, Jacob.