Bullet leaves emotional scar - Bengals rookie cleared for camp

CINCINNATI -- The bullet has been removed, the wounds have healed. Dennis Weathersby can sprint and backpedal and do everything expected from an NFL cornerback.

The toughest part is still ahead: Getting beyond the emotional scars from the drive-by shooting.

The fourth-round draft pick has been cleared to participate in Cincinnati Bengals camp next week. He came to Paul Brown Stadium on Monday for a one-time-only discussion of the moment that scrambled his outlook on life.

"The situation that happened to me is kind of tough to talk about," Weathersby said, speaking haltingly in a low voice. "I hope you guys will understand that. It's a life-or-death situation.

"I feel good about myself physically and emotionally. Each day, I've been getting better and better."

The Oregon State senior was considered one of the top cornerbacks available in the NFL draft, a sure thing for the early rounds, before he was shot April 20 while with a friend in suburban Los Angeles.

The bullet passed through his body, just below the lungs, and lodged in his arm, barely missing his vital organs.

Police said he was the innocent victim of a drive-by shooting related to gang wars. A reputed gang member was later arrested.

Even though doctors said he would fully recover and police said Weathersby had no gang connections, he slid to the fourth round. Cincinnati opened the second day of the draft by picking Weathersby, who then was so weak he couldn't walk more than a few feet.

The injuries caused him to miss a rookie minicamp. He resumed working out a few weeks after the shooting.

Getting back into shape was the easy part.

"The toughest part? Just knowing that I've got to constantly look over my shoulder because of what's happened to me," Weathersby said.

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said Weathersby has been cooperative so far as he tries to make up for the time lost to his extended recovery.

"His situation is so unique compared to other rookies," Frazier said. "Our approach with him in training camp is maybe going to be a little different than with other rookies because of the things he's going through."

When Weathersby spoke of his ordeal, he only gave brief glimpses of what he has been through the past three months. Until Monday, he had declined to be interviewed .

He acknowledged that in the short-term, he'll be known more as a shooting victim than an NFL player. He hopes playing football again will bring more healing.

"I don't think about it when I'm out there playing football, doing something I enjoy," he said. "It should be a relief."