FORMER NFL PLAYER SHARES STORY WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Herman Weaver, a former NFL punter with the Detroit Lions and the Seattle Seahawks, remembers the day his life really changed.

It wasn't the day a football scout from the University of Tennessee saw him play. The scout was at the high school game to watch a player on the opposing team, but spotted Weaver and offered a scholarship to the youngster from a tiny Georgia town.

It wasn't the day he was picked in the 9th round of the NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. The money, the glamour the attention that came with playing professional football from 1970 to 1980 left Weaver feeling empty.

It wasn't the day when he attended his first chapel gathering with teammates or the day he agreed to become a motivational speaker with Sports World Ministries.

Weaver told students at Scott City High School Thursday the change came the day his six-year-old daughter nearly died. She had been to a birthday party and decided to climb her first tree. About 20 feet off the ground, she reached for a weak limb and fell to the ground.

Emergency room doctors feared a broken back and internal bleeding. The little girl wasn't moving.

"I sat on the floor in the emergency room and cried," Weaver said. "Then I asked God to help my little girl. I promised I would do whatever he wanted if he would help my little girl."

Weaver's daughter was transferred to a children's hospital. Her family pediatrician arrived. "I didn't know what to do," Weaver said. "So I dropped to my knees and for 20 minutes begged God to help my little girl."

The pediatrician came out to the waiting room. Weaver feared the worst, but the doctor smiled. "He said it must be a miracle. He couldn't find anything wrong with my daughter."

Since then, Weaver has been on the speaking circuit, sharing his story.

"If you do what's right, you will have a blessed life," Weaver said.

Weaver is speaking at nine high schools in Southeast Missouri this week, programs sponsored by the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship organization.

Bob Nations with the organization explained that speakers like Weaver give students to think about.

"It's very emotional," he said. "They can hear someone else's story and be encouraged."

The business men who sponsor speakers like Weaver are interested in encouraging young people, Nations said.

"These are very important kids," he said, looking around the Scott City auditorium. "In 10 years, the kids in this room will make a big difference in the world."

Weaver will speak at a fellowship breakfast at 10 a.m. Saturday for the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International organization. He will speak at the Cape Girardeau Holiday Inn Oak Room. For information, call (573) 334-2632.