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.

Jim Weatherwax
No. 71
Born: (1943-01-09) January 9, 1943
Porterville, California, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)Defensive tackle
Height6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Weight260 lb (120 kg)
CollegeCal. State, Los Angeles
West Texas A&M
San Bernardino Valley College
High schoolRedlands
AFL draft1965 / Round: Red Shirt 5 / Pick: 38
Drafted bySan Diego Chargers
NFL draft1965 / Round: 11 / Pick: 150
Drafted byGreen Bay Packers
Career history
As player
1966–1967, 1969Green Bay Packers
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× Super Bowl Champion (I, II)
  • 2× NFL Champion (1966, 1967)
  • All-CCAA (1965)
Career stats
Games played34
Games started3
Fumble recoveries1

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.[1]

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.[4] 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.[3] Weatherwax moved to Loveland, Colorado,[1] and became an avid bass fisherman.[15]

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