Definition
Steve Weatherford is an American former professional football player who specialized as a long snapper in the National Football League (NFL).
Overview
Steven Thomas Weatherford was born on June 24, 1982, in Los Angeles, California. He played college football at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he served as the team’s long snapper. After going undrafted in the 2005 NFL Draft, Weatherford entered the league as a free agent. Over a career that spanned more than a decade, he appeared on the active rosters of several NFL franchises, including the New England Patriots, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and Tennessee Titans. He was a member of the New York Giants’ roster that won Super Bowl XLVI (2012) against the New England Patriots. Weatherford announced his retirement from professional football in 2016.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Steve Weatherford” is a personal name composed of the given name “Steve,” a diminutive of “Steven,” derived from the Greek Stephanos meaning “crown” or “wreath,” and the surname “Weatherford,” an English habitational name originating from places named Weatherford in England, meaning “ford (river crossing) where weather (wind) is prevalent.”
Characteristics
- Position: Long snapper – a specialized special‑teams role responsible for delivering accurate, timed snaps of the football to the punter on punts and to the holder on field‑goal and extra‑point attempts.
- Physical profile: Throughout his career, Weatherford was listed at approximately 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) and 240 lb (109 kg).
- Professional tenure: Active NFL career from 2005 to 2015, with a total of 137 regular‑season games played.
- Notable achievements: Super Bowl champion (Super Bowl XLVI) with the New York Giants; recognized for consistency and reliability in a position that typically receives limited public attention.
Related Topics
- Long snapper – the specialized position in American football focused on snapping the ball for punts, field goals, and extra points.
- National Football League (NFL) – the premier professional American football league in the United States.
- New York Giants – the NFL franchise with which Weatherford earned a Super Bowl ring.
- UCLA Bruins football – the college football program where Weatherford played before entering the NFL.
All information presented is based on publicly available records and reliable sports-reference sources.