Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith knew he was giving up a lot last April when he brokered a trade with Chicago to move up 25 spots in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft to select safety Eric Weddle from Utah. Smith also knew he was getting a lot, and that’s exactly what Weddle proved during his rookie season.



While he didn’t start in 2007, Weddle did see plenty of action. He served as the team’s Dime safety from Day One and utilized his unique talents to rush the quarterback, cover receivers downfield and provide a physical presence in the secondary. Weddle finished his first professional season with 48 tackles, a sack, an interception, six passes defensed and three tackles for loss. He also added a timely interception of Peyton Manning in the Bolts’ Divisional Playoff win over the Colts. The pick came at the goal line and ended an Indianapolis scoring threat.



Entering year two of his NFL career, Weddle is penciled in as the Bolts’ starting free safety. He’ll join strong safety Clinton Hart and cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie and Quentin Jammer to form one of the most talented secondaries in the NFL. In 2007, the group led the league with 30 interceptions.



Family is a very important part of Weddle’s wife. Last January, his wife Chanel gave birth to the couple’s first child, a girl named Brooklyn Marie. Eric and Chanel were married in July 2005 in La Jolla, California, just before Eric’s junior season at Utah. That year, Eric and Chanel lived near the UtahState campus in Ogden, Utah and Eric commuted nearly an hour each way. Chanel, Eric’s high school sweetheart, played soccer at UtahState.



Growing up about an hour north of San Diego in Alta Loma, California, the Weddle family has been Chargers fans for some time, particularly Eric’s mother, Debbie, and father, Steve. Eric’s mom is an elementary school teacher who has logged more than 30 years in the classroom.



Weddle is an avid golfer who plays to a seven or eight handicap and he bowls once or twice a week, averaging in the 170 range. His other hobbies include baseball, basketball and watching movies with Chanel. The Weddles have a Golden Retriever named Chloe.



A special education major at Utah, Weddle tutored students with learning disabilities while he was in school. He also visited Utah’s Primary Children’s Hospital, spoke to children at schools and at the youth correctional facility in Salt Lake City and volunteered for the Food Bank.