Colston Weatherington

Colston Weatherington (born October 29, 1977) is a former American football defensive lineman who played in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He also played for the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League. He played collegiately at Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri).

Early years

Weatherington attended Rehobeth Elementary/High School in Dothan, AL, until transferring to Graceville High School for his junior and senior years, where he was named All-State and helped the team win a Class 2A championship and a second-place finish.^[1]

After two years out of football, he attended Northwest Mississippi Community College in 1998, where he recorded 68 tackles (18 for loss), 13 sacks, 3 passes defensed and 5 forced fumbles in his freshman year, earning All-State and All-Region community college honors. He played in the Mineral Water Bowl and was named the game's defensive MVP, even though his team lost 41-3.

After transferring to Central Missouri State in 1999, he registered 52 tackles (19 for loss), 12 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries, while earning Division II All-American and MIAA Defensive MVP honors. He also played for the basketball team.^[2]

In his junior year, he finished with 32 tackles (22 for loss), 7 sacks and 7 passes defensed, receiving All-MIAA and third-team Division II All-American honors. He declared early to the NFL Draft, leaving with one year remaining of eligibility.

In 2012, he was inducted into the University of Central Missouri Athletics Hall of Fame.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Weatherington was selected in the seventh round (207th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. His progress in training camp was slowed after suffering high right ankle sprain injury. He was released on September 2 and later signed to the practice squad.

He was allocated to the Amsterdam Admirals of the NFL Europe in 2002, where he recorded 15 tackles and a forced fumble. In the 2002 NFL season, he played in 3 games (11 games inactive) and totaled a tackle and a pressure. The next year he was tried at defensive tackle, before being waived on August 31, 2003. He was signed to the practice squad and eventually cut on October 28.

Philadelphia Eagles

On August, 17, 2004, he was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles.^[3] He was released on August 30.^[4]

Dallas Desperados (AFL)

On December 18, 2003, he signed with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League, who were owned by Jerry Jones, who also owned the Dallas Cowboys. After learning to be a two-way player and blocking as an offensive lineman, he earned AFL All-Rookie honors when he registered team-highs in sacks (7.5), quarterback pressures (5), forced fumbles (2) and blocked kicks (5).

The next year he finished with 17 tackles, 3.5 sacks (second on the team), 7.5 tackles for losses (led team), 9 quarterback pressures (led team) and 4 touchdowns. In 2006, he became one of the league's best players, recording 13.5 tackles (9 for loss), 7.5 sacks (led team), 4 forced fumbles, one safety, 2 passes defensed and 3 touchdowns. He also earned AFL Lineman of the Year and All-Arena honors.

In 2007, he was named to the All-Arena team after registering 19.5 tackles (10.5 for loss), 10 sacks (second most in the AFL), 7 passes defensed, 5 forced fumbles and 2 blocked kicks. In 2008, he led the league in sacks (10.5) and ranked second in tackles for loss (11.0).^[5] He played five seasons until the team folded on August 4, 2009, upon the dissolving of the original AFL.

Orlando Predators (AFL)

In 2010, he was assigned to the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League.

References

External links

• Former Cowboy Weatherington Top AFL Lineman
• Dallas Desperados bio