No Excuses, No Regrets: The Eric Weddle Story

by Trent Toone

Overview

Eric Weddle has developed a reputation as one of the NFL’s best defensive minds, a fundamentally sound tackling machine, and a reliable last line of defense in the secondary for the San Diego Chargers. Prior to the 2011 season, the Chargers made Eric one of the highest paid safeties in league history by signing him to a five-year, $40 million contract. “Honestly, who would have ever thought I would be at where I am today?” Eric said. “I was a kid who loved sports, who struggled, who was benched, who was injured, but I didn’t let the little things get me down. The little things don’t affect who I am or what I’m about, but they drive me to do better. To get better today, you must demand more than you did yesterday. Winners pay the price to reach their goals.”

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781609076658
Publisher:	Shadow Mountain Publishing
Publication date:	05/14/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Toone, Trent

Read an Excerpt

More than a decade later, the undersized Weddle has achieved more than 99 percent of what the recruiters dreamed possible for him. First, he was named a consensus all-American at the University of Utah. After trading away four picks, the San Diego Chargers picked Eric in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. He became the Chargers’ starting free safety in 2008. Since then, Eric has developed a reputation as one of the NFL’s bright, defensive minds, a fundamentally sound tackling machine, and a reliable last line of defense in the secondary. Prior to the 2011 season, San Diego made Eric one of the highest-paid safeties in league history by signing him a five-year, $40-million contract. Eric proved he was worth the lucrative investment by having the best season of his career. One of the team’s elected captains, Eric posted a league-best seven interceptions, made his first Pro Bowl roster, and was named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press, one of the most respected honors an NFL player can receive in a career. He followed that performance up with another all-pro season in 2012.

That’s not bad for a player who was supposed to be too short to play college football.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Kyle Whittingham
Prologue: The Safety That Was Too Short

Chapter 1: The Pregame Show
Chapter 2: Fear the “Washing Machine”
Chapter 3: Alta Loma High School
Chapter 4: The Girl, the Season, and the Fastball
Chapter 5: A Senior’s Journey
Chapter 6: The Punk Freshman
Chapter 7: A Spiritual Edge
Chapter 8: The Perfect Season
Chapter 9: Leadership, Marriage, and Emeralds
Chapter 10: The Wide World of Weddle
Chapter 11: Agents and Phone Calls
Chapter 12: The Rookie
Chapter 13: Balancing Football and Faith
Chapter 14: The Weddle Family Chronicles
Chapter 15: The Ambassador
Chapter 16: The Free Agent
Chapter 17: Validated
Chapter 18: A Playbook of Principles

Afterword
Acknowledgments
Sources
Index

What People are Saying About This

NFL Insider For ESPN - Adam Schefter

"Eric's story not only shows that he is an all-around athlete and has emerged as one of the top young safeties in the game, but it accurately illustrates his stalwart character and devotion to family values. Eric's story also demonstrates that you don't have to be the biggest, the strongest, or the fastest to defy the odds and achieve your goals. Everyone should read No Excuses, No Regrets.

ESPN Sports Business Reporter - Darren Rovell

It is nice to read the stories of top draft picks that were supposed to be good. It is better to read about guys like Eric Weddle who through hard work and passion grew to dominate his position in the league.

NFL Insider For CBS - Jason La Canfora

Eric Weddle has been a pillar of the NFL community, exemplary on the field and off. His story is one of dedication and perseverance, and he rose to become one of the dominant safeties in the game, silencing detractors and becoming one of the cornerstones of the Chargers organization. Football fans everywhere will enjoy his tale.

Senior NFL Writer, foxsports.Com - Alex Marvez

If you are as impressed as I am by Eric Weddle the player and leader, you will be even more so by the view of Eric Weddle the person and father that you gain from No Excuses, No Regrets.

Editorial Reviews

“It is nice to read the stories of top draft picks that were supposed to be good. It is better to read about guys like Eric Weddle who, through hard work and passion grew to dominate his position in the league.” — Darren Rovell, ESPN Sports Business Reporter

ESPN Sports Business Reporter - Darren Rovell

“If you are impressed as I am by Eric Weddle the player and leader, you will be even more so by the view of Eric Weddle the person and father that you gain from No Excuses, No Regrets.” — Alex Marvez, Senior NFL Writer, Foxsports.com

Foxsports.com - Alex Marvez

“Eric's story not only shows that he is an all-around athlete and has emerged as one of the top young safeties in the game, but it accurately illustrates that you don't have to be the biggest, the strongest, or the fastest to defy the odds and achieve your goals. Everyone should read No Excuses, No Regrets.” —Adam Schefter, NFL Insider for ESPN

NFL Insider for ESPN - Adam Schefter

“Eric Weddle has been a pillar of the NFL community, exemplary on the fireld and off. His story is one of dedication and perseverance, and he rose to become one of the dominant safeties in the game, silencing detractors and becoming one of the cornerstones of the Chargers organization. Football fans everywhere will enjoy his tale.” — Jason La Canfora, NFL Insider for CBS

NFL Insider for CBS - Jason La Canfora

The San Diego Chargers' safety Eric Weddle is something of a throwback player; this mundane biography is also a throwback to 1960s gee-whiz hero worship. Journalist Toone (Deseret News) writes of being so excited when Weddle first texted him that he proudly showed the text around the newsroom. His biography hits all the familiar notes: the athlete courting the unattainable girl, the religious angle (Weddle converted to Mormonism), and the spur of being undersized and underappreciated. It takes 85 pages before Weddle gets to college at the University of Utah and 185 pages until he reaches the pros. And this is for a good, but not great, player for a perennially disappointing franchise. VERDICT There is little of interest to football fans here; perhaps of interest to Mormon readers.

Library Journal