What’s in a name?
Plenty when that name is Weddle.
Eric Weddle played safety for the San Diego Chargers from 2007 to 2015, was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and was a two-time first-team All-Pro who was named to the NFL All-Decade Team in the 2010s. He came out of retirement in 2021, helping the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl LVI championship.
Until this season, Gaige Weddle, a freshman football player at Rancho Bernardo High School, was only known in youth circles.
Now Eric and Gaige are one of 12 father-son, high school coach-player duos in San Diego.
“Gaige is named after a 12-gage shotgun,” said Eric, his father and head football coach at Rancho Bernardo High School. “We wanted something unique, so we spelled it with an ‘i’.”
The name fits Gaige perfectly, Eric Weddle said.
“He has always been a handful. He screams energy,” he said. “He has been all-boy, all the time, 24 hours a day.”
Gaige Weddle started playing flag football at age 5, when the Weddles lives in Baltimore while Eric Weddle played for the Ravens.
He started playing Pop Warner football in the third grade.
“For six games he didn’t play at all, and for him it was devastating,” Eric Weddle said. “As a dad, you want to do something, but all I said to him was ‘Go earn it’ if he wanted to play. After that, he earned it. Every second of every day, he worked to get better.”
Gaige played safety, his dad’s position, as well as quarterback.
“To this day he doesn’t care about who gets credit for his accomplishments. He just wants to win,” Eric Weddle said. “He loves to help his team, and doesn’t worry about the limelight.”
There are obvious differences between Eric and Gaige Weddle.
Eric Weddle was a 5-foot-11, 195-pounder as a pro after playing at the University of Utah, where he was a consensus All-American and was drafted in the second round by the Chargers.
Gaige Weddle is a still-growing 6-2, 175-pounder who is a full-time starter at safety along with Dylan Inigo. At least once a game, Gaige runs a series at quarterback behind starter Trey Durham.
Run is the key word here: Gaige Weddle is RB’s leading rusher, with Brayden Kalein and Durham a close second.
Gaige started at quarterback last week against Del Norte, taking over for a banged-up Durham. He completed 10 of 13 passes for 190 yards and touchdowns of 72 and 50 yards. He also rushed for touchdowns from 1 and 2 yards.
Tim Garcia
Gaige Weddle plays at least one drive every game at quarterback. (Tim Garcia)
“I’ve always wanted to play football for as long as I can remember,” said the 15-year-old Gaige, who has to spell his first name for all of his teachers.
“My dad used to bring home his Player of the Game footballs, and that was special. My mom (Chanel) and I went to every game and I remember when they lost, I’d cry.
“Growing up, guys would invite me to play and I had to prove myself. I respected them, they respected me. “My dad was a big influence when I was younger. He taught me how to catch the ball with my hands. We’d do some of the drills he’d do. We’d play catch a lot, but the big thing he taught me was to respect others, to treat people right.”
Being a two-way player, what position, safety or quarterback, does Gaige favor?
“Both,” he answered quickly. “They’re both super fun. When I watched RB growing up, I never got to see really great teams, but I think we could be that team this year. The RB community is so supportive.”
The Broncos started the season 4-0, stumbled against Torrey Pines and then beat Del Norte 28-14 in their Palomar League opener. RB is ranked No. 9 in the county heading into Friday’s game against Ramona.
“Gaige looks to have a bright future ahead of him,” said Del Norte coach Nick Barnett, who has two sons on his team, senior Kaden and freshman Kruz. “Gaige is a talented football player on both sides of the ball. He has a great competitive spirit. I’m looking forward to watching him continue to grow.”
Gaige Weddle is aware of his father’s accomplishments but wants to leave his own legacy. He emulates an NFL safety — but not his dad. It’s Brian Dawkins, a 16-year NFL veteran who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
“He was a different kind of a player than my dad,” he said. “They were both hitters. I love watching either of their highlights.
“My goal is to watch as much film as I can, learn how to take advantage of the weight room and go hard in every practice and every game. We’ll see what happens.”
Like father, like son
Twelve San Diego-area high school coaches have their sons on their rosters. They are:
Dad/Son/High School
Nick Barnett/Kaden and Kruz Barnett/ Del Norte
Nehemiah Brunson/Nehemiah Brunson Jr./ Army-Navy Academy
Marcus Cook/Marcus Cook Jr./ Canyon Hills
Rashard Cook/Isaiah Cook/ Mater Dei Catholic
David Dunn/King David Dunn/ Lincoln
Rick Jackson/ Ryan Jackson/ Madison
Thadd MacNeal/Eli MacNeal/Carlsbad
David Moore/David “Little Mo” Moore/Mar Vista
Airrien Smith/Aiddien Smith/Castle Park
Jeremy Stump/Brodie Stump/Kearny
DJ Walcott/Deuce Walcott/Francis Parker
Eric Weddle/Gaige Weddle/Rancho Bernardo