Andre Weathers

Andre Le'Melle Weathers (born August 6, 1976) is an American former professional football player. He played college football at the University of Michigan from 1995 to 1998 and was a member of the 1997 team that won the national championship. He later played football for the New York Giants in 2000 and 2001, but his career was cut short by a knee injury.

University of Michigan Weathers was a standout wide receiver and defensive back at Flint Central High School, and earned a scholarship to play defensive back at the University of Michigan. Weathers was a defensive back for the Wolverines for four years from 1995 to 1998. He played on Michigan's 1997 national championship team and had a 43-yard interception run-back for the winning touchdown in a 20–14 victory over Ohio State. Weathers also had a key sack of Ryan Leaf in Michigan's victory over Washington State in the 1998 Rose Bowl. With the media attention focused on his teammate Charles Woodson, Weathers was sometimes referred to by the press in 1997 as Michigan's "other cornerback." Because of Woodson's abilities, opponents regularly "threw at Weathers, not wanting to test Woodson." In 1998, following Woodson's departure, Weathers was the leader of a Michigan secondary that remained one of the best in college football.

During his four-year career at Michigan, Weathers had 84 tackles and 5 interceptions. He signed with the Giants in July 1999. During the Giants' 1999 training camp, Weathers was nicknamed "Nonchalant" for his somewhat carefree attitude. In that game, his first in the NFL, Weathers intercepted a pass off Trent Dilfer and returned it for the winning touchdown as the Giants defeated Buccaneers, 17–13.

After the Tampa Bay game, Weathers was the subject of a feature stories in The New York Times and the New York Daily News. Veteran cornerback Phillippi Sparks said of Weathers, "That kid can be special if he works at it. He reminds me of myself. He's a little lackadaisical in practice because he knows he has skills. If he works at it, he can be a great player, and I won't let him do anything else." Weathers underwent knee surgery in November 1999.

Weathers returned to the Giants at the end of October 2000. At the time of his return, Weathers noted, "It's going to be exciting and nervous at the same time. I'm anxious to get out there and see what I can do." In his first game back, he immediately sustained a tear in the anterior cruciate knee ligaments to end his season. At the time, the New York Post noted: "This is especially cruel news for Weathers, who last Sunday made his debut this season. A rookie in 1999, Weathers showed plenty of promise before tearing his left ACL in the ninth game of the season. The Giants were cautious in bringing Weathers back, but he reinjured the same knee in the 24–7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, will again need surgery and faces another year-long rehab." Weathers attempted a comeback with the Giants in 2001, but did not make the team. He was released by the Giants in August 2001.

Later life After retiring from football, Weathers returned to his hometown, Flint, Michigan. He worked as a high school football coach at Flint Central High School and with the Genesee County Patriots semi-pro team.