Leonard Weaver

Leonard T. Weaver III (born September 23, 1982) is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Carson-Newman.

Weaver has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Early years
Born to Jennifer Gilmore and Leonard T. Weaver Jr., Weaver attended Dr. W.J. Creel Elemantary School in Melbourne, Florida and Satellite High School in Satellite Beach, Florida and was a student and a letterman in football, basketball, and track. Weaver played running back and quarterback at Satellite.

College career
Leonard "The Dream" 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 tight end, Weaver earned Division II All-American honors from the AP, American Football Coaches Association and others. He led the 9-3 Carson-Newman Eagles to a conference championship and the second round of the Division II playoffs with 27 catches for 571 yards and 8 touchdowns, leading all Eagles receivers.

Seattle Seahawks
Weaver was signed Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2005 and converted him to the fullback position.

In the 2006 preseason, he suffered a 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 25, 2007 on a 5 yard run.

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

2009
Weaver, who was an unrestricted free agent after the 2009 season, signed a one year, $1.75 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on March 20, 2009. There are said to be incentives in the deal that could make it worth a total of $2.5 million. He scored his first touchdown as a Philadelphia Eagle on November 1, 2009 against the New York Giants on a 41 yard run.

Weaver was selected to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a starting fullback.

As a restricted free agent heading into the offseason, Weaver signed a three-year contract worth $11 million, $6.5 million guaranteed. This deal makes him the highest paid fullback in NFL history.

2010
Weaver was injured on his first carry of the 2010 season, on September 12, 2010 against the Green Bay Packers and had to be carried off the field. His injury was later revealed to be "a very severe" torn ACL in his left knee, requiring season-ending surgery. He was placed on injured reserve on September 13. He was released on July 28, 2011 after failing his physical.

Personal
Weaver battled depression in college, having suffered a personal tragedy which he has not disclosed. Leonard's mother is a pastor. His grandfather, Bishop L.T. Weaver Sr. is a prominent C.O.G.I.C. minister with a street named after him in his hometown. Leonard's 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.

Weaver has two sons, Leonard IV and David. He has five sisters and six brothers.