Jim Weatherwax Explained

Birth Date:January 9, 1943
Birth Place:Porterville, California, U.S.
Number:71
Position1:Defensive tackle
Height Ft:6
Height In:7
Weight Lb:260
College:Cal. State, Los Angeles
West Texas A&M
San Bernardino Valley College
High School:Redlands
Nfldraftedyear:1965
Nfldraftedround:11
Nfldraftedpick:150
Nfldraftedteam:Green Bay Packers
Afldraftedyear:1965
Afldraftedround:Red Shirt 5
Afldraftedpick:38
Afldraftedteam:San Diego Chargers
Playing Years1:19661967, 1969
Playing Team1:Green Bay Packers
Career Highlights:
  • 2× Super Bowl Champion (I, II)
  • 2× NFL Champion (1966, 1967)
  • All-CCAA (1965)
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:34
Statlabel2:Games started
Statvalue2:3
Statlabel3:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue3:1
Nfl:jim-weatherwax

James Michael Weatherwax (born January 9, 1943) is a former American football player. He played professionally as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football at San Bernardino Valley College, California State University, Los Angeles and West Texas A&M University.

Weatherwax was drafted by the Packers in the 11th round with the 150th overall pick of the 1965 NFL draft. He played 34 games during three seasons, 1966, 1967, and 1969, with Green Bay. Weatherwax was a member of Green Bay's Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II championship teams.

Football career

Weatherwax played basketball under Jerry Tarkanian at Redlands High School and also played football.[1] A two-way player, Weatherwax was named to the San Bernardino County all-star team in 1960.[2] He grew ten inches between his sophomore and senior years.[3] In college, Weatherwax started at the two-year San Bernardino Valley College and later stopped at West Texas A&M University and Cal State-Los Angeles.

Weatherwax was drafted in the 11th round (150th overall) of the 1966 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers.[4] He was also drafted by the San Diego Chargers in that year's American Football League draft.[5] Weatherwax chose Green Bay for its recent success, claiming that it wasn't much of a choice to make.[6] During his sophomore season in 1967, Weatherwax broke the starting lineup for three games after injuries to the two players above him on the depth chart, Lionel Aldridge and Bob Brown.[7] Weatherwax played through broken ribs in the 1967 season at the behest of coach Vince Lombardi.[8] He played in both Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II as a reserve.[9] Weatherwax saw playing time on the defensive line and on special teams.[10] He was credited with making the first tackle in Super Bowl history with a tackle on the opening kickoff return in Super Bowl I.[11] He did not play in 1968 after having knee surgery in September; he returned to practice the following July.[12]

After the 1969 season, Weatherwax was out of the NFL due to knee injuries. Green Bay waived him on September 3, 1970 and the St. Louis Cardinals conditionally picked Weatherwax up, although he failed a physical and the team declined to sign him.[13]

After football

Weatherwax postponed his wedding, initially scheduled for December 1966, due to the Packers deep playoff run that season.[14] After his football career was over, Weatherwax worked as a manager and was part owner of a Marie Callendar's restaurant in El Toro, California. Weatherwax moved to Loveland, Colorado, and became an avid bass fisherman.[15]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Summers . Danny . From the Sidelines: A trip down Packers memory lane . Cheyenne Gazette . October 23, 2020 . November 6, 2019.
  2. News: Weatherwax One Of Biggest Men On Field . October 23, 2020 . Redlands Daily Facts . Newspapers.com . August 23, 1960.
  3. Web site: Kahn . Harvey M. . Ex-Redlands, SBVC football player Jim Weatherwax appeared in first Super Bowls . Inland Empire Community Newspaper . October 23, 2020 . January 28, 2015.
  4. Web site: Brown . Obrey . Weatherwax Was Surrounded by NFL Hall of Fame Talent . Redwoods Connection . October 23, 2020 . February 10, 2018.
  5. Web site: Brown . Obrey . NFL draft: Redlands local circle connected to six picks in football's national grab bag . Redlands Community News . October 23, 2020 . April 30, 2020.
  6. News: Rookie Jim Weatherwax Just Waits and Worries . October 23, 2020 . Danville Register . Newspapers.com . August 26, 1966.
  7. News: Weatherwax Likes New Spot . October 23, 2020 . Wisconsin State Journal . Newspapers.com . September 28, 1967.
  8. News: Summers . Danny . Hometown hero with lots of heritage . October 23, 2020 . San Bernardino County Sun . January 26, 1997.
  9. Web site: Reischel . Rob . Memory lane with former Packers: Jim Weatherwax . Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel . October 23, 2020.
  10. Web site: Glaser . Kyle . INLAND SUPER BOWL: Redlands' Weatherwax got taste of first Super Bowls . The Press-Enterprise . October 23, 2020 . February 6, 2016.
  11. Web site: 'Cherry on your career' . Los Angeles Daily News . October 23, 2020 . February 1, 2008.
  12. News: Remmel . Lee . Useasoned Packer Offensive Line to Get Veteran Test . October 23, 2020 . Green Bay Press-Gazette . Newspapers.com . July 30, 1969.
  13. Web site: Cards Return Weatherwax . New York Times . October 23, 2020 . September 4, 1970.
  14. Web site: Jones . Lindsay H. . Vince Lombardi's guys savor Super Bowl memories and Green Bay's new success . Denver Post . October 23, 2020 . January 29, 2011.
  15. News: King . Kelley . For the love of the game . October 23, 2020 . Fort Collins Coloradoan . Newspapers.com . February 6, 2011.