On Thursday afternoon, the trade winds blew across the NBA and NHL communities while talk spread across baseball regarding a holdup in the Mookie Betts trade. This meant that all was quiet in the football world. That is, until Eric Weddle announced his retirement from the league in a Twitter post.
It's been REAL @NFL @Chargers @Ravens @RamsNFL! TEAMMATES, COACHES and others I LOVE y'all. We had a GREAT RUN!!!!! ✌✌#BEARDOUT 🎤 pic.twitter.com/C3VGwnMCc7
— Eric Weddle (@weddlesbeard) February 6, 2020
Weddle, who turned 35 in early January, was drafted by the then-San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2007 draft. He started zero games in his rookie year but saw a drastic increase in his playing time as he would go on to start all 186 games that awaited him.
Weddle boasted great performances in San Diego all the way through 2015, spending nine seasons with the team and being named a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro. In his second to last game with the Chargers, Weddle was fined $10,000 by the team for watching his daughter in a halftime performance. That would be the first of two fines Weddle would receive in his career, with the second coming on an unsportsmanlike hit on JuJu Smith-Schuster in 2018.
In 2016, Weddle would find a new home as he signed a four-year, $26 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens. In Baltimore, he appeared in all 48 regular season games over three seasons, earning three Pro Bowl selections along the way. However, 2018 was the “worst” (if it can even be described as such) year for Weddle in a Ravens uniform, and it prompted the team to release him at season’s end.
Weddle latched on with the Rams in 2019 on a one-year deal with a club option for 2020. He again started 16 games and played dominant football, but he also failed to intercept a pass while also missing out on a Pro Bowl selection for just the second time in seven years.
Weddle finishes his career with 29 interceptions for 467 yards and four pick-sixes, 98 passes defended, eight forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries (including one scoop-and-score), nine-and-a-half sacks, 1,179 total tackles (903 solo, 276 assisted), 38 tackles for loss, and 23 quarterback hits.
Weddle’s total career earnings come out to $70.9 million over 13 seasons for an average annual value of $5.46 million.
Many teammates of Weddle celebrated him and his career on social media.
Super Happy for you Bro! One of the top professionals this league will ever have, wishing u nothing but the best my guy! 💯💯🙏🏽 https://t.co/17AzJBUL5w
— Willie Snead IV (@Willie_Snead4G) February 6, 2020
Congratulations on a great career my brotha. https://t.co/R4rUCAPNq7 pic.twitter.com/EESguGyepY
— Matthew Judon (@man_dammn) February 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/_tonyjefferson/status/1225521028165599232?s=20
One of the best leaders I’ve been around! Congrats brotha. 🙌🏽🙌🏽 https://t.co/WmnAAN29c5
— Chris Wormley (@Chris_Wormley43) February 6, 2020
My dog 🙏🏾🦾🦾True pro and I witnessed some of the work that was put in 💯 Great Career happy for you bra https://t.co/ygniTIrn0c
— Tavon Young (@TY_Real1) February 6, 2020
It's been REAL @NFL @Chargers @Ravens @RamsNFL! TEAMMATES, COACHES and others I LOVE y'all. We had a GREAT RUN!!!!! ✌✌#BEARDOUT 🎤 pic.twitter.com/C3VGwnMCc7
— Eric Weddle (@weddlesbeard) February 6, 2020
Gonna miss you E Dub! No better example of how to be a pro! #HoF https://t.co/axVCDq6bIE
— Troy Reeder (@troyreeder9) February 6, 2020
😞
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) February 6, 2020
All Love E Dub 💯💯 #IE #GoodEatz https://t.co/q4yc61779y pic.twitter.com/eVFHiXtvkj
— Donte Deayon (@AyoItsND) February 6, 2020
E DUBBBB!!!! Hell of a career. This is the standard. Wish things went differently this season but I appreciate what you’ve done for me and @RamsNFL Enjoy retirement, Turkey✊🏾 https://t.co/DNaUfCRnBk
— John Johnson III (@iamjohnthethird) February 6, 2020
It was an honor to be your teammate and share the same field! Respect to the legend and congrats on a great career. Iron sharpens iron, enjoy retirement @weddlesbeard 🤙🤙 https://t.co/ze6SmuZ3yE
— Tyler Higbee (@Ty_Higs19) February 6, 2020
LEGEND https://t.co/qaIiTumosF
— Jared Goff (@JaredGoff16) February 6, 2020
