Carson-Newman to hold Leonard Weaver Day against Winona State on Saturday.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — When the Carson-Newman football team opens its 2010 campaign at home on Saturday against Winona State, a familiar face will be in attendance watching a new wave of Eagles play on the same field he once roamed as an All-American.

The Carson-Newman Board of Trustees has proclaimed Saturday as Leonard Weaver Day in honor of the former Eagle, who has become one of the best fullbacks in the NFL. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Burke-Tarr Stadium, and the game will be televised regionally on Comcast Sports Southeast (CSS).

Weaver, who is currently with the Philadelphia Eagles, began his professional career in 2005 as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks.

After building a reputation as a solid fullback in four seasons with Seattle, Weaver signed with Philadelphia in 2009 and immediately made an impact. Last season, he set career highs in rushing (323), total touchdowns (four) and rushing touchdowns (two) and caught 15 passes for 140 yards on his way to earning a Pro Bowl invitation and becoming the first fullback in team history to receive Associated Press first team All-Pro honors.

Weaver left Carson-Newman as one of the premier players in Eagle history, and one of the top tight ends in D-II history.

After playing linebacker as a freshman and catching one pass in his sophomore season in moving to tight end, Weaver exploded as a junior. He would catch 16 passes for 410 yards and six TDs, including a 67-yard touchdown in the Eagles' playoff win at Valdosta State.

As a senior, Weaver would go on to catch 27 passes for 571 yards and eight touchdowns. He was part of Carson-Newman's first 300-yard passing game under Ken Sparks, a 49-34 win at Catawba, in which Weaver caught three balls for 136 yards and two TDs. For his career, he averaged a deep threat, wide receiver-like 23 yards per reception.

Weaver has also been a role model off the field. He started the Leonard Weaver Family Foundation to focus on his desire to work with inner-city youth. He also started the foundation to bring awareness to diabetes with his inspiration coming from his grandmother, who tragically died of complications of the disease his rookie year.