Resilience Pays off for MVP J.J. Weaver

UK Football X Photo

Sometimes you have to believe in destiny/karma.

How else can you explain that in what was probably his final regular-season game at Kentucky that linebacker J.J. Weaver went back to his home city of Louisville and had eight tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback sack and two fumble recoveries in UK’s 38-31 comeback win over host Louisville.

He was named the game’s most valuable player in what had to be one of the most popular choices ever with fans and teammates.

“Couldn’t be more proud of J.J. He and I had a good talk earlier in the week and I told him to walk around with his head high. He was feeling the pressure of not producing and was worried about the numbers,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said after the win.

“He’s done a lot and we’re proud of him regardless of what happens on the field. He’s a great person, player, and ambassador for this football team. I told him to hold his head high and finish strong and he did. I’m so proud of him.”

Weaver has dealt with a lot we know about and obviously other things we did not know about.

His father was murdered while he was in college. He suffered a season-ending knee injury as a sophomore. After the win he revealed he had “lost” one of his best friends recently and was dedicating the win to him.

Weaver was born with six fingers on his right hand but has embraced it at UK and by doing that made it easier on others dealing with the same thing.
 
Weaver was both proud and emotional after the win sparked by his two second-half fumble recoveries.

“First, I got to give it to God. Without his glory, none of this would be possible, but just being consistent with it, keep putting my head down, keep working hard,” Weaver said.

He said he “needed” the pep talk Stoops had with him last week.

“I was really going through a lot at the time. I’m still going through a lot. Just being consistent and listening to coach Stoops and coach (Brad) White and working my butt off.”

Weaver helped start a foundation to help players with mental health issues and he certainly appreciates the support Stoops and White, UK’s defensive coordinator, have shown him.

“It means a lot. After losing my father, this man right here (White) has been a father to me. Open hands, inviting me to his house. His kids are like my little brothers and little sister,” Weaver said.

“I know if football is over, I can call (White) and call Stoops, and I’ll be good for sure.”

White was next to Weaver listening to what he said after the game and shed a few tears talking about the UK senior.

“We talk about resilience and perseverance,” White said. “J.J., he’s the model of it. Everything you go through in life, everything you go through in a football season.

“I was trying to hold back tears in the hallway after the game just because you pour so much into this as a player, as a coach, as a family in that locker room. If you’re not in that locker room, you don’t know.

“This is a game. We understand the implications of the game, but we use the lessons that we learn out here. Good, bad, it doesn’t matter. And then we try to apply that to our lives. Again, it’s what makes me so proud as a coach, to sit up here next to him. I’ll be your wingman any day, and I’m going to miss him.”