Weaver to Eagles: "You don't have to lie"
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Weaver to Eagles: "You don't have to lie"
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
UPDATE:
Leonard Weaver tweeted what could be interpreted as a response to the Eagles saying that they had informed the fullback that he had been released Thursday, contradicting what he wrote later that evening after it was announced.
He tweeted the following Friday afternoon:
"Hey just a lesson to everyone...... You don't have to lie about anything to cover your butt. Just tell the truth the first time."
He lated added the following, directly mentioning the Eagles in a series of tweets:
"I have received emails and comments about the way the Eagles chose to go about handling me ... And as I stated before, I don't like the fact that they didn't at least call and tell me what they were going to do."
FROM EARLIER:
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Moments after he was released, in a series of Twitter posts, former Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver claimed that the team had not informed him that he had been cut after he failed a physical at Lehigh University.
"Now I have mixed feeling about that because I gave everything I had to the organization, and I would think that they would atleast call," Weaver wrote Thursday night. "And Let me know what was going on, but as I have learned over the years fans, business is business."
A reporter also initially wrote on Twitter that Weaver had not known about his release until he had called him for comment.
Eagles spokesman Derrick Boyko, though, said Friday morning that two team employees informed Weaver that he had been released.
A message left with Weaver this morning was not immediately returned.
Weaver was due to earn $2.5 million this season, but he will still earn $1 million, according to his agent Harold Lewis. The amiable fullback signed a three-year, $11.2 million contract in March, 2010, the largest contract ever for a NFL fullback at the time.
But in the first game of the 2010 season Weaver suffered a gruesome knee injury in which he tore his ACL and PCL and suffered nerve damage. He also had to undergo a tendon transfer surgery on his left foot. The chances of Weaver ever playing football have been described as remote but he has claimed repeatedly that he expects to return to the NFL.
In the meantime, he will be compensated through the NFL's disability program for injured players.
Good guy, good player, terrible injury— Leegles- sucks all the way around.— sore richard
- Every interview I saw with Weaver made me feel more like this could be the year. He always had a great attitude. This is very unfortunate that this happened. Not to mention he is a hell of full back who loves to play this game!— jzy5400
Comment removed.- Weaver was a bucket of joy last year, preaching and smiling everywhere he went...In this past off season and now, he is not that same person...sorry to say.— bearsfriend
- Just a shame not to know his enthusiasm and energy will not be around the team...— M60tanker
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- Nice guy, but did you notice how he always wanted the media attention. He talked too much. Good luck, Leonard.— misterhman
- I mean how would he not know that he'd be cut...He was a solid FB and a nice locker room presence. Wish him well.— dsh129
- That's really too bad because he was awesome in 2009. I'm glad he at least got one fat check from the NFL. All that being said, bring back Owen "The Schmitter"— rob808pf
- eagles suck— dreinterests
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- Terrible injury to a great player i would have likeed him to be placed on the IR n see if he can make a comeback next season— mamba710
- Satellite Beach is going to miss our Dream Weaver, the crowd at Doubles loves ya man. Stop by some Sunday, we're buying. Leonard Weaver, the pride of Satellite High !!— Craig321
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- What moron could have had a comment removed from a story about a sad ending to a fine human being?— tpizza
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- Leonard "million bucks" Weaver
...class act— joenowa - Really sucks for Weaver, he was a great player and person. Wish him the best. He would have added an nice dynamic to an already potent offense.— SLP2009
- Every player should hope to have a following like Weaver had. He earned his money but it's sad to see him go. It's a tough injury to come back from and be productive. Wishing him all the best.— nceagle
- I don't believed Weaver was notified....Some underling Dropped the ball...However it would have been nice if the GM or Head Coach or even the Offense Coordinator or Position Coach would have had the decency to call him....
Since the stuff rolls down hill ...some underling will eat the blame...— Bigmike 34 - The two Eagles employees who informed Weaver were the water boy and the night security guard at the NovaCare Complex.— Dave Clemens
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- The Eagles are not the Phillies. The Birds would embraced better if they showed a little love and had more transparency with the fans. Instead they operate like the CIA.— Big5fan
Bet he's having trouble covering his bills on that "disability program"...especially after also getting the guaranteed million. Yup, life is hard when you're disabled!— NancyNancy- bet he wishes he could put the chains back on— dragoon6
- andy should have spoken with him, in person, the right thing to do— camasbud
- Best wishes to Leonard! And despite the fact that he is displeased with his handling by the brass, that million bucks would sooth MY tears right quick. Sure as hell wish he could be with the team and healthy though, gonna miss him!— TBear
- Nancynancy, You seem to be jealous that he will still be well paid for at least a couple of years. Did you read the article? Are you aware of the gruesome and painful injury he suffered? He deserves evry dollar he gets and he should have gotten the official word from the Head Coach or OC. Class move, Eagles. Good luck, Mr Weaver...— Getinline
- WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— jdld610
- Good guy - and don't feel too sorry for him, he racked up a bundle with the team.— corpo
- You know the Eagles are back in town when we have to read about stories of good guys being released without so much as a thank you from the Head Coach.....when the Head Coach opens his mouth and out comes more sarcasm and disdain......please wake me when this ownership group, management staff and coaching staff are gone.......Good wishes and good health to Leonard, he would have been a great player for the birds..........Hey Lurie, how about your "Gold Standard" team treat it's players with a little more respect! Bunch of phoney frauds.............— DelawareRiverRat
- Never ever known for their people skills, the Organization again showed no class or good communication with its own....Hopefully Andy gets the same treatment when it is his turn to go.....You don't have to be a jerk, Good Manners, Common Courtesy and Respect for one another or an employee is NEVER out of order.......but then you were expecting something else.....shame on you...— nuggett
- As a life long Eagles fan, it's this type of stuff that makes you hate the front office. They do a good job keeping a consistent winning product on the field but are horrendous at small things like phoning a player before cutting him. They need to hire a Scott Palmer kind of guy to just deal with these little type of issues to keep their image in a positive light.— Iron Giant
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- I like Leonard a lot and the fans here love him, but please stop whining! You made millions to play a game and the Philly fans will always love you. Best of luck Leonard.— carlosbeltran
- Fire Reid— Bubba James
Damn shame to see Weave go, he quickly became one of my favorite Eagles. Dissension seems to be a reoccurring theme with ex-Eagles players under this current ownership regime.
Anyways, all the best to you, Mr. Weaver. You're a fun player to watch.
