Rhondy Weston

Rhondy Weston (born June 7, 1966) is an American former football player at defensive tackle who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for a single season in 1989. He played college football for the University of Florida. The Dallas Cowboys selected him in the third round of the 1989 NFL Draft, and he played professionally for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Early years

Weston was born in Belle Glade, Florida. He attended Glades Central High School, where he played for the Glades Central Raiders. As a senior, he was recognized as a high school All-American.

College career

Weston accepted an athletic scholarship from the University of Florida, and played for coach Galen Hall's Florida Gators football team from 1985 to 1988. As a junior in 1987, he was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection and an honorable mention All-American, after finishing the year with 175 tackles and nine sacks, although he played the final four games with a broken jaw he suffered in a nightclub fight. During his 1988 senior season, Weston was part of a dominant defensive line, along with Jeff Roth and Trace Armstrong. He finished the year with 10 sacks and was a second-team All-SEC selection and honorable mention All-American.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Weston was drafted in the third round (68th overall pick) of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. After having a disappointing training camp, he was waived on August 29 and replaced with Dean Hamel.^[1][2]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Weston was claimed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and eventually released on September 4, 1989.^[3] He was signed to the team's practice squad on September 6, 1989.^[4] He was promoted to the active roster during the regular season and played in twelve games, with two starts, at defensive end. He had two quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery.

Cleveland Browns

On March 8, 1990, Weston signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent, but suffered a right knee injury and was placed on the injured reserve list on September 8, 1990.^[5] He never fully recovered and was waived injured on August 19, 1991.^[6]

Personal life

His mother died in a car accident when he was a junior in college.^[7] He donated one of his kidneys to childhood friend Tommy Duhart, who had battled severe diabetes.^[8]

Weston later returned to Gainesville and completed his bachelor's degree in health and human performance, graduating from the University of Florida in 2010.

See also

• Florida Gators football, 1980–89
• History of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• List of Florida Gators football players in the NFL
• List of University of Florida alumni

References

Bibliography

• Carlson, Norm, University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators, Whitman Publishing, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia (2007). ISBN 0-7948-2298-3.
• Golenbock, Peter, Go Gators! An Oral History of Florida's Pursuit of Gridiron Glory, Legends Publishing, LLC, St. Petersburg, Florida (2002). ISBN 0-9650782-1-3.
• Hairston, Jack, Tales from the Gator Swamp: A Collection of the Greatest Gator Stories Ever Told, Sports Publishing, LLC, Champaign, Illinois (2002). ISBN 1-58261-514-4.
• McCarthy, Kevin M., Fightin' Gators: A History of University of Florida Football, Arcadia Publishing, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina (2000). ISBN 978-0-7385-0559-6.
• Nash, Noel, ed., The Gainesville Sun Presents The Greatest Moments in Florida Gators Football, Sports Publishing, Inc., Champaign, Illinois (1998). ISBN 1-57167-196-X.