From coaching Pop Warner to Calling Signals in the Superbowl: the Amazing Adventure of Eric Weddle

[Hapless Bills Fan]

am I the only one who blinked and missed this?

 

Eric Weddle retired in 2019

He coached his son's 12 yo Pop Warner team to a championship this fall

Now he's playing in the Superbowl.

https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/weddle-rams-spark-returning-retirement-82738184

 

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The 37-year-old Weddle's journey from driving car pools, coaching youth football and watching games on his couch to playing safety for the Rams in the Super Bowl on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals is a surreal one that Weddle calls the “craziest story ever.”

 

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Weddle joined the team days before their playoff opener against the Cardinals. Weddle played just 19 snaps that first game before ramping it up with 61 defensive snaps the following week against Tampa Bay. Then came all 51 in the NFC title game against San Francisco when he had a team-high nine tackles, including a key one for a loss that helped turn the game in the fourth quarter.

 

“It’s been a slow progression. A lot, a lot, a lot of work,” Weddle said. “I don’t think people understand. I’ve never worked so hard in my life over the last four weeks to get my mind, body ready for this because I’ve been behind an eight-ball for two years. The plan put forth with Raheem and (coach) Sean (McVay) and the training staff has worked out perfectly, now able to be the best version of myself for the Super Bowl. That was the best case scenario if we made it this far.”

 

Not only that, he's going to be the defensive signal caller

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According to Dan Pompei of The Athletic, who wrote a terrific feature on Weddle’s path to the Super Bowl, the Rams are going to make Weddle their defensive signal caller in the Super Bowl. He’ll wear the green dot on his helmet and relay play calls from Raheem Morris to the rest of the defense.

 

Rapp is expected to return against the Bengals — but as a backup. Weddle will not only be starting but for the first time this year, he will wear the communication device that makes him the designated play caller.

 

“He brings elite football awareness and intelligence,” Evero says. “And he has the ability to communicate, communicate fast and communicate in a way everyone understands. That leads to building confidence.”

 

Un.  Real.