Utah’s Eric Weddle: In Good Hands
By Bruce Woodbury
It
was 5:30 a.m. when defensive back Eric Weddle walked into the University
of Utah’s indoor athletic facility. It was his first off-season
workout following the 2003 football season and he was tired.
“I was getting ready to go through one of the toughest things a human being could go through,“ said Weddle, “and I notice that my teammate Morgan Scalley was in there jumping around, laughing and yelling like it was fun.”
Impressed by Scalley’s enthusiasm, Weddle wondered what could make someone so excited and energetic so early in the morning. As the two became friends, Weddle learned that Scalley was a member of the Church. He wanted to learn more about a religion that made people so happy.
The freshman
Weddle’s freshman season on the gridiron was very successful. He started the final nine games of the 2003 season, compiled 60 tackles, and led the team with three interceptions. He helped lead the Utes to a 10-2 record, a Mountain West Conference championship, and a 17-0 win over Southern Mississippi in the 2003 Liberty Bowl. For his solid play, he was named first team Freshman All-American.
Even with his success on the field, something was missing in Weddle’s life. “I never really knew what I was doing with my life,” he said. “I never knew what I was doing here and what my purpose was.”
Scalley, and several other LDS teammates, set Weddle up with the missionaries and supported him while he was taking the discussions. His meeting with the elders answered his questions and fortified his belief that the Church was something he wanted in his life.
“When I was taking the discussions, I never really remembered what was being taught,” Weddle recalled, “but I remembered the feeling I felt while they were teaching me. It was a calm, reassuring feeling that what they were saying was the truth.
“One of things I really loved about the Church,” said Weddle, who was baptized on June 24, 2004, “was the fact that families can be together forever. It really hit me that one day, when I have a family, no matter what happens, as long as we keep our covenants and stay true to the gospel, we can be together forever.”
His eternal family now consists of himself and the former Chanel Blaquiere, who played soccer at Utah State. The two married in the San Diego temple on July 22, 2005.
Dual careers
Weddle’s career in the gospel has taken off as the Alta Loma, Calif. native spends much of his free time speaking to LDS youth groups in the Salt Lake Valley. His career on the football field is also in high gear.
During his sophomore season in 2004, Weddle was instrumental in helping the Utes to a perfect 12-0 season, a top-ten ranking, and a 35-7 win over Pittsburgh in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl where he had career-high 11 tackles.
As a junior in 2005, Weddle continued his outstanding play as he was named the MWC Defensive Player of the Year as well as the Defensive MVP in the Utes’ 38-10 win over Georgia Tech in the 2005 Emerald Bowl.
As a senior, and prior to the 2006 season, Weddle was a pre-season All-American selection at defensive back but has seen time on the offensive side of the ball as well.
On Sep. 23, against San Diego State, Weddle showed his all-around ability when he made Utah history by scoring touchdowns on back-to-back offensive and defensive plays.
At quarterback, he scored on a two-yard run and then, from his cornerback spot on the very next play from scrimmage, he intercepted and returned a pass 30 yards for another Ute touchdown. He went on to intercept two more Aztec passes that game, returning another for a touchdown. His performance during that game earned him the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week award.
As a football player Weddle’s future looks secure. With the gospel in his life, his spiritual welfare is in good hands as well.