May 27, 2016
Peter Solari
NFL writer Mike Freeman posted a nice interview/expose on former Giants and Jets punter, Steve Weatherford, at
Bleacher Report on Friday.
Typically, people don't pay attention when punters or kickers leave the game for good, but Weatherford isn't your average punter. He's 6'2" tall and 230 lbs. He's built more like a fullback than a punter. And perhaps for that reason, Weatherford wasn't alienated by his teammates, and always had their respect. In fact, Freeman's entire phone interview was conducted while Weatherford was in the gym, lifting weights. Weatherford has also been featured in Men's Fitness in the past.
I won't go into too many details here.
Freeman's piece is a good read and it's short, too, so check that out
here.
In the interview, Weatherford does call himself, "92% retired," but hasn't made it official because he doesn't want to retire multiple times, like Brett Favre. Weatherford is, however, content should his career be over.
Weatherford spent 10 season punting in the NFL for five different organizations, and unlike so many other veterans, he saved his money, and managed to remain charitable. Pretty amazing considering punters are typically on the lower end of the league's pay scale.
According to Weatherford, football never "defined him," which he attributes to a seamless transition into his post-football life. Weatherford says he is happy just spending time with his family, and lifting weights.
In his career, Weatherford shined the brightest, in the biggest moments. He set a record in Super Bowl XLVI, with three punts inside the 10-yard-line, one of which led to a Justin Tuck safety. Weatherford and the Giants knocked off Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in that game.
While we may never see Weatherford in an NFL game again, I doubt we've seen the last of him at MetLife Stadium. Aside from being one of the most memorable punters the Giants have ever had, he also immortalized himself in team history, by being part of their 2011 world championship team.
That's something that can never be taken away from Weatherford, and something for which he will celebrated for the rest of his life and beyond.
