Lee Weigel
{{Short description|American football player (born 1963)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Lee Weigel
| number = 25
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|11|15}}
| birth_place = Marshfield, Wisconsin, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 220
| high_school = Marshfield
| college = {{nowrap|Wisconsin–Eau Claire (1982–1985)}}
| undraftedyear = 1986
| pastteams =
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1986}})*
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1987}})
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 26
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 2.6
| statlabel3 = Receptions
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Receiving yards
| statvalue4 = 17
| pfr = WeigLe20
}}
Lee Elmer Weigel (born November 15, 1963) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin–Eau Claire Blugolds and later had stints in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. He appeared in two games for the Packers as one of the replacement players during the 1987 NFL strike.
Early life
Weigel was born on November 15, 1963, in Marshfield, Wisconsin.{{Cite web|url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WeigLe20.htm|title = Lee Weigel Stats|website = Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date = March 28, 2018|archive-date = June 22, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170622173928/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WeigLe20.htm|url-status = live}} He grew up on the family farm and was a fan of the Green Bay Packers; he described Eddie Lee Ivery, his favorite player, as his inspiration for playing running back.{{Cite news|url=https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/32520349.html|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|title=Given a chance, Weigel lived his dream|date=September 18, 2008|author=Hendricks, Martin|access-date=October 13, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018210930/https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/32520349.html|url-status=live}} He attended Marshfield High School and participated on the football and track and field teams.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald/133384329/|newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 5, 1981|page=8|title=Weigel, Brown run almost at will through East|author=Zaleski, Doug|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018210931/https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald/133384329/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald/133384429/|newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 28, 1982|page=11|title=Tigers win Abe track|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018210932/https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald/133384429/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} As a senior in football, he was named honorable mention all-conference after running for 455 yards on 90 carries (a 5.0 average) in addition to recording 13 receptions for 161 yards.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald/133384684/|newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 19, 1980|page=11|title=Baltus near-unanimous pick as LB on all-Valley|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018210931/https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald/133384684/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
College career
Weigel began attending the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in 1982 and lettered on for their Blugold football team all four years he spent at the school.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerw/weig00200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Lee Weigel Stats|access-date=October 13, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018210931/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerw/weig00200.html|url-status=live}} In his first start as a freshman, he totaled 204 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133384961/|newspaper=Leader-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 27, 1982|page=13|title=Blugold freshman makes most of first start|author=Scott, Steve|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018210932/https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133384961/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He missed three games that season due to a knee injury but finished first in the conference with 129 rushing yards per game.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/stevens-point-journal/133385103/|newspaper=Stevens Points Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 20, 1982|page=13|title=Pointers led in 5 loop categories|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018210932/https://www.newspapers.com/article/stevens-point-journal/133385103/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} The following season, he helped the Blugolds win the conference championship, running for 279 yards and two touchdowns in the title game.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/stevens-point-journal/133385856/|newspaper=Stevens Points Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 14, 1983|page=22|title=Blugolds win title as mistakes foil 'U' upset bid|author=Friday, Don|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211037/https://www.newspapers.com/article/stevens-point-journal/133385856/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He was named all-district, first-team All-Wisconsin State University Conference (WSUC) and ended the year as Wisconsin–Eau Claire's leading rusher with 1,263 yards on 226 carries (a 5.6 average).{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133385927/|newspaper=Leader-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 16, 1983|page=16|title=Five Blugolds named to All-WSUC team|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211449/https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133385927/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133386019/|newspaper=Leader-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 26, 1983|page=20|title=Football|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211450/https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133386019/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
As a junior in 1984, Weigel was named first-team All-WSUC and first-team National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division II All-American after rushing for 1,030 yards and 12 touchdowns despite being limited by injury.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133386526/|newspaper=Leader-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 14, 1984|page=17|title=Five Blugolds are All-WSUC|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211449/https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133386526/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133386572/|newspaper=Leader-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 14, 1984|page=13|title=Blugolds' Weigel named to NAIA All-American team|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211452/https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133386572/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} Weigel ran 307 times for 1,172 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior in 1985, being named first-team all-conference and becoming the first two-time All-American in school history as a repeat first-team NAIA selection; he was named the team's most valuable player, broke the WSCU career rushing record and also set the career Blugold scoring record.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133386976/|newspaper=Leader-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 20, 1985|page=13|title=Weigel once again an All-American|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211521/https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133386976/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chippewa-herald-telegram/133387046/|newspaper=Chippewa Herald-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 23, 1989|page=13|title=Baumgartner throws six TD passes for UW-SP|agency=Associated Press|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211450/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chippewa-herald-telegram/133387046/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133387106/|newspaper=Leader-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 20, 1985|page=19|title=Two Blugolds on All-WSUC|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211451/https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133387106/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He ended his collegiate career with 4,015 yards, a state-record 944 rush attempts, 39 touchdowns, 21 100-yard games and three 200-yard games as he helped Wisconsin–Eau Claire compile a record of 24–11–1 in games he played.
Professional career
Weigel ran a 4.54 second 40-yard dash but despite his production in college, went unselected in the 1986 NFL draft. He afterwards signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. He scored a touchdown and ran four times for 20 yards in a scrimmage against the Los Angeles Raiders.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald/133387400/|newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 26, 1986|page=8|title=Weigel cut by Cowboys|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211451/https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald/133387400/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He was released on July 24, 1986.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133387481/|newspaper=Leader-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 25, 1986|page=9, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133387541/ 11]|title=Weigel's 'vacation' ends with release by Cowboys|author=Handel, Craig|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211936/https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133387481/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Weigel tried out with the Miami Dolphins in April 1987.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133387733/|newspaper=Leader-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 16, 1987|page=19|title=Miami to give Weigel another shot at pros|author=Handel, Craig|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211941/https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram/133387733/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He worked as an assistant coach at Wisconsin–Eau Claire working with the running backs until the National Football League Players Association went on strike.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald/133387913/|newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 25, 1987|page=9|title=Packers' sign Marshfield's Weigel|author=Zaleski, Doug|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211943/https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald/133387913/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He and Kevin Fitzgerald, another assistant, called Packers executive Tom Braatz and were able to receive a tryout. The tryout was successful and both were signed as replacement players. He missed the first strike game, a win over the Minnesota Vikings, but appeared in the last two, against the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, and recorded 10 rushes for 26 yards and one reception for 17 yards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WeigLe20/gamelog/|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Lee Weigel Career Game Log|access-date=October 13, 2023|archive-date=May 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524142953/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WeigLe20/gamelog/|url-status=live}} He was released at the end of the strike and, although he later had tryouts in the Canadian Football League (CFL), never played professionally again.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactionsw/weig00200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Lee Weigel NFL Transactions|access-date=October 13, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211005/https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactionsw/weig00200.html|url-status=live}}
Later life
Weigel worked in the concrete business after his football career. He also coached at Marshfield High School as an assistant for 10 years, helping them win three state championships. Weigel finished his coaching career with a two-year stint at Memorial High School in Eau Claire from 2006 to 2007.