Players

  When General Manager A.J. Smith brokered a trade with Chicago during the 2007 NFL Draft to move up 25 spots in the second round to select safety Eric Weddle from Utah, he knew he was getting a valuable asset and Weddle validated Smith’s judgment with a big year in 2008.

  In just his second NFL season, Weddle played a big role in the Chargers’ secondary. He started all 16 games and ranked second in tackles with 135, just one behind linebacker Stephen Cooper for the team lead. Weddle also had a big postseason, again ranking second on the squad with 19 tackles, a sack, three tackles for loss and three passes defensed. And as if he didn’t do enough, Weddle set a team record with an 86-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the Chargers’ Nov. 30 game against Atlanta.

  While he didn’t start in 2007, Weddle saw plenty of action as a rookie. He began the season as the team’s “Dime” safety and utilized his unique talents to rush the quarterback, cover receivers downfield and provide a physical presence in the secondary. Weddle, who was part of a secondary that led the NFL with 30 interceptions, capped off his first professional season with a timely interception of Peyton Manning at the goal line in the Bolts’ Divisional Playoff win over the Colts.

  Family is a very important part of Weddle’s life. He and his wife, Chanel, have a young daughter, Brooklyn Marie, and a son, Gaige, due in July 2009. Weddle and Chanel were married in July ’05 in La Jolla, California, just before Eric’s junior season at Utah. That year, Eric and Chanel lived near the Utah State campus in Ogden, Utah and Eric commuted nearly an hour each way. Chanel, Eric’s high school sweetheart, played soccer at Utah State.

  Growing up about an hour north of San Diego in Alta Loma, California, members of the Weddle family have been Charger fans for some time, particularly Eric’s mother Debbie and father Steve. Eric’s mom is an elementary school teacher who has logged more than 30 years in the classroom.

  Weddle is an avid golfer who plays to a seven or eight handicap and he bowls once or twice a week, averaging in the 170 range. His other hobbies include baseball, basketball and watching movies with Chanel. The Weddles have a Golden Retriever named Chloe.

  A special education major at Utah, Weddle tutored students with learning disabilities while he was in school. He also visited Utah’s Primary Children’s Hospital, spoke to children at schools and at the youth correctional facility in Salt Lake City and volunteered for the Food Bank.

  TRANSACTION HISTORY: Second-round pick (37), April 28, 2007...signed four-year contract, July 24, 2007.

 2009: Had his first-career interception return for a touchdown (31 yards). The score gave the Chargers a 23-6 lead over the Dolphins in week 3. Received game ball from coach Norv Turner for week 1 and 3 performances. Contributed a sack on a safety blitz and ended a KC drive with a third-down pass deflection in week 7. Intercepted QB Vince Young in week 16 contest against the Tennesse Titans. Inactive week 17 vs. the Redskins.

  2008: 86-yards FR for TD Wk 12 vs. Atlanta…team-high 12 stops Wk 15 in pivotal win at TB and again in AFC West clinching win over Denver Dec. 28…led team with three PBUs and shared 4Q TFL in Jan. 5 AFC Wild Card Playoffs vs. Indianapolis…sack among 11 TT in Jan. 11 AFC Divisional Playoffs at Pittsburgh.

 2007: Series of third-down big plays in first half of first-career NFL game vs. Chicago…on consecutive series, recorded third-down TFL, two QB pressures and sack on fourth series...first-career INT to seal 35-10 win over Houston Oct. 28…huge one-handed INT prevented TD in 3Q of AFC Divisional Playoff win at Indy.

 COLLEGE: MWC Defensive POY in 2005 and ’06… second-team All-America as junior and first-team as senior…first-team All-MWC as junior and senior… Defensive MVP of 2005 Emerald Bowl…second-team all-conference, honor roll, Dean’s List student and elected to school’s Football Leadership Committee as soph in ’04…Frosh All America, All-MWC honorable mention and Academic All-MWC pick in ’03…schoo-record nine FF…MWC-record and second in school annals with 18 career INTs…also second on school list with three INT returns for TDs…tied MWC record and ranked eighth in nation with seven INTs as senior... second-most in school history…only player in school and MWC history to score TDs passing, rushing, on INT return and FR in season (2006) and career…Walter Camp National POW after ’06 game vs. San Diego State in which he INT three passes, returning two for TDs, and ran for another score…also in ’06, was on field for 90 plays in game vs. Air Force, scoring two rushing TDs and holding GW FG in 17-14 victory… INT late in 4Q of ’06 Armed Forces Bowl vs. Tulsa sealed victory in final collegiate game…played at Utah from 2003-06…special education major.

 PERSONAL: Born in Fontana, California…two-time Mt. Baldy League Offensive and Defensive MVP, three-time all-league choice, two-time All-CIF selection and league Rookie of Year at Alta Loma (Calif.) HS…led Braves to ’00 Mt. Baldy League championship…lettered in basketball and baseball.