BELLINGHAM, Wash. --- Dave Weedman, the only Western Washington University football player ever chosen in the National Football League (NFL) draft, died on August 18, 2025, at age 82.

On January 31, 1968, Weedman was selected in the 12th round by the Washington Redskins as the 311th overall pick. At that time, there were 17 rounds and 462 selections. He signed a contract for $23,000.

Weedman was listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 225 pounds when he played defensive end for three years at what was then called Western Washington State College from 1965 to 1967.

As a senior for the Vikings in 1967, Weedman earned a second-team NAIA All-American accolade, received an honorable mention from the Associated Press Little All-America, was named to the second-team United Press International All-Coast, and was a Little All-Northwest and NAIA District 1 all-star, both for the second consecutive year, along with All-Evergreen Conference for the third straight season. He was named Western's Athlete of the Year for 1967-68, earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and health, and in 1979 was inducted into the Vikings' Athletics Hall of Fame.

That last year at Western, Weedman had particularly strong games against arch-rival Central Washington and nearly upset the nationally ranked No.6 team and eventual NAIA national runner-up Eastern Washington.

It was Weedman's theory that the coaches of those two teams (Central - Tom Parry, Eastern - Dave Holmes) might have influenced his draft process.

Professional football was very different in those days, ranking behind Major League Baseball nationally in popularity. Each team had a 40-man roster, plus seven taxi squad players. The east coast teams had a minor league working agreement with the Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL). Washington's affiliate was the Virginia Sailors.

Weedman was a member of Washington's taxi squad in 1968, moving to linebacker because of his speed (4.5 40-yard dash). He practiced daily with the Redskins and also worked out with Virginia in the evenings.

During his three years as a professional, Weedman played in 12 NFL exhibition games, four per season. Some of these contests were nationally televised, allowing family and friends from the Northwest to watch him play.

A personal highlight for Weedman in his first year with Virginia was intercepting a pass in an ACFL game and returning it 98 yards for a touchdown.

In the next season, Washington brought in the legendary Vince Lombardi as its head coach and executive vice president.

Weedman was slated to be the Redskins' fifth linebacker for the upcoming campaign. However, everything changed when All-Pro linebacker Sam Huff came out of retirement specifically to play for Lombardi. Huff was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1982.

Weedman was picked up off waivers by the Detroit Lions and played for the Tri-City Apollos in 1969.

The next year he got a call from the Philadelphia Eagles and played for the Pottstown Firebirds which won the ACFL championship.

That marked the end of Weedman's professional career.

Born in Longview, Washington, Weedman moved 22 miles south in the sixth grade and became a three-sport star (football, basketball and track) at Woodland High School. He was a four-year letter winner for the Beavers and experienced a major growth spurt as a junior.

Weedman earned a full-ride scholarship to Oregon State University, where he was coached by Tommy Prothro, and played the 1961 season on the Beaver freshman team.

Weedman went home that summer and worked at a sawmill where he was seriously injured when his leg got caught between two logs. His right knee sustained 15 percent disability in the accident.

In 1962, Weedman attended Lower Columbia College in Longview after being recruited by a former high school coach who was on the LCC staff. However, during the first series of the opening game at Wenatchee Valley CC, he suffered a season-ending knee injury while covering on a punt.

Weedman completed his Associate of Arts degree at LCC and chose to attend Western for what he called "three of the best years of my life."

After his professional football career, Weedman spent two years teaching and coaching at Kelso High School. He then worked as a landscape designer before becoming a successful real estate agent, earning an Outstanding Professional Award, before retiring. His licensed assistant was his wife, Leona.

Over the years, Weedman had his right knee replaced, both shoulders repaired and back surgery.

Weedman was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Margaret, and his siblings, Holly Shank and Tracy Weedman. He is survived by his loving family: wife and companion of 35 years Leona; son: JD Weedman and wife Betsy; daughter: Wendy Woll and husband Matt; stepdaughters Kim Enyart and Lindsey Thomas and husband Jimmy; and grandchildren: Marley Weedman Lorish and husband Andrew, Blade Weedman, Noah Weedman, Cooper Woll, Ava Woll, Ashley Watkins, and Thomas Anderson.


 
                                 WWU Hall of Fame - Class of 1979 - Walt Schilaty,Mike Franza, Dave Weedman, Jack Nighbert