R-U-D-I Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 Weathersby released3/11/2005 - 3-11-05, 10:50 a.m. BY GEOFF HOBSON Maybe the most star-crossed story in the history of several star-crossed stories on the Bengals came to an end Friday when the Bengals waived cornerback Dennis Weathersby almost a year after a near-fatal car accident. After what doctors called his “miraculous,” wakeup from a 10-day coma following a severe head injury in the April 12 accident, Weathersby’s bid to come back and play football has hit an obstacle. He has been unable to pass the team physical required for him to return. “It’s the recommendation of our team doctors that Dennis not play football at this time,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “This move will give Dennis and his advisors the chance to pursue his future as they see fit. Dennis is a fine young man who has bravely gone through some very tough times, and we wish him all the best.” On various trips back to Cincinnati last season for checkups and workouts, Weathersby said his goal was to play in 2005 even though he had suffered a very traumatic injury when his car slid off a rainy highway exit ramp in Springdale and slid into a utility pole. Teammates, coaches, and fans rallied to him after an unbelievable run of events in his life. Nearly a year to the day of the car accident _ April 20, 2003 _ Weathersby was the victim of an Easter Day drive-by shooting in his hometown of Duarte, Calif., a week before he was to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. After starting all four years during an All-Pac 10 career at Oregon State, Weathersby ran 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine and was viewed as a prototypical big NFL cornerback. Authorities concluded Weathersby was the innocent bystander in a turf war. The bullet reportedly went through his back, underneath his lung, out his torso, and entered his left arm between the bicep and elbow, not hitting a vital organ but causing him to lose a massive amount of blood. Even a day before the shooting, Bengals secondary coach Kevin Coyle spoke to Weathersby in anticipation they might take him at the top of the second round at No. 33. The incident not only knocked Weathersby out of the first round, but also the first day of the draft. During the break on Saturday night and Sunday morning, the Bengals decided to make him the first pick of the second day with the first choice in the fourth round. The wound kept him out of minicamp, but he played in all four pre-season games with seven tackles and a pass defensed. He played in four games as a rookie, primarily on special teams. In the past, Weathersby has spoken about a post-football career that would involve mentoring young men. He was a National Honor Society student in high school and became just the fourth player in Pac-10 history to be All-Academic four years. He also received his Oregon State degree in liberal studies. When he visited his teammates during a June minicamp this past season, he was far from bitter. "I don’t think like that, `Why me?’" Weathersby said when asked about his bad luck. "What I went through last year and this year and to still be living, I feel blessed.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalboomer7 Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 Sad, but living is more important Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 I wish him the best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalboomer7 Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 For some odd reason I have a feeling tht he'll be heard from again. I would love to see him come out like a Mark Fields story, but I doubt that will happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 He's a very smart kid that I hope stays out of football....cars...and front yards. All things considered, a perfect example of how cruel the gods of feetball can sometimes be. Consider the fact that Weathersby was once labeled the steal of the entire freaking draft, but the Bengalized version of the Cinderella story ends with a shattered Weathersby...never hurt on the football field...being released after playing only a handful of special team snaps. (((Heavy Sigh))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted March 11, 2005 Report Share Posted March 11, 2005 Can't say anything more than good luck. Glad to see him come out of all of this tragedy able to walk and talk. He's a smart guy and will go on to do good things. WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsrule2500 Posted March 12, 2005 Report Share Posted March 12, 2005 Wow, good luck with the future of his life, his soul, and his mind. (body too) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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