by Ian Tasso
He read the play. He jumped the route. He looked the ball into his hands. He did everything right
That’s what made it all the more surprising when the pass clunked off his fingertips and fell to the ground. Meriweather blankly stared at his hands in shock. Meanwhile, the clock still read :51, and while the safety’s world stopped, Super bowl XLII went on.
Two plays later, Eli Manning gently lofted a pass high over Ellis Hobbs and right into the hands of a wide open Plaxico Burress. Giants 17, Patriots 14; a shocking end to greatness. A dagger into the heart of perfection.
It could have never happened that way. It should have never happened that way. And for Brandon Meriweather, it almost didn’t.
But for number 31, it was just another small hurdle on the route to greatness – of which he’s faced many.
The hardships started at an early age for Meriweather, whose mother gave birth to him when she was only 13-years old. She then succumbed to the difficulty of raising a son at such a young age, handing over legal guardianship to his high school assistant principle, Mary Bridgeses, and her husband Tom when Meriweather was just 11.
But that’s where Meriweather’s career on the gridiron began. Amidst all the emotional and behind-the-scenes clutter, Meriweather was able to lead Apopka High School to a Florida state championship as a senior in 2001. Back then, the fleet-footed Merriweather, who also lettered in both track and basketball, started as a kick-returner, returning four kicks for touchdowns in his senior year alone.
Because of his tremendous skill set on the field, Meriweather went on to play college ball at the University of Miami. After injuring his ankle after three games his freshman year, he was granted a medical red-shirt and didn’t officially begin his Miami career until 2003. The safety finished his inaugural year with just 22 tackles, five pass break-ups, and one interception.
But Meriweather, nicknamed B-Ware and Hit Stick by his teammates, wasn’t phased by his slow start.
In 2004 Meriweather refined his defensive skills, playing in all 12 games, recording 62 tackles, two picks, and two forced fumbles. In 2005 he was named to the All America team as well as first-team All-ACC. Meriweather then had his best season in 2006, when he contributed 115 tackles, two more forced fumbles, and a career-high three interceptions after spending much of the summer off-season with Baltimore Raven’s All-Pro Ed Reed, who also attended the University of Miami.
But 2006 was also the year the off-the-field troubles began to make their mark.
On July 21, Meriweather was involved in a shooting accident along with teammate Willie Cooper. The senior safety was not faced with any charges as he fired the gun in self defense against the attackers, and also owned the gun legally.
Then in mid-October, Meriweather was suspended from both the ACC as well as U-Miami for his involvement in the infamous Miami-FIU brawl. Meriweather was caught on tape clearly stomping on a FIU player’s face, and his draft-day stock rightfully slipped.
Slipped all the way to the number 24 overall pick in the first round, where Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots took a chance on the 5’11 safety – something that raised more than a few eyebrows.
Everyone knew number 31 could play. The two-time Jim Thorpe Award semi-finalist had even been called by Miami head coach Randy Shannon ‘the hardest hitter he’s ever been around.” Coming from someone who also coached the likes of Ed Reed and Antrelle Rolle (Arizona Cardinals), that’s quite the compliment. Even so, his questionable attitude and off-field record made him a bit of a risk in the first round. But if anyone could afford to take that risk, it was the Patriots.
And it’s finally paying off.
In 2008, Meriweather’s second season, number 31 didn’t even become New England’s starting safety until week eight – but finished with more tackles than Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel, and recorded the same number of sacks as Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren. By the end of the season, Meriweather had recorded 55 solo-tackles, good for second on New England behind AP Defensive Rookie of the year Jerod Mayo. He also grabbed a team-high four interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Meanwhile, he finished as one of only four defensive backs to record at least two interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles. The other three were Adrian Wilson of the Arizona Cardinals, Antoine Winfield of the Minnesota Vikings, and Quintin Mikell of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Similarly, and perhaps more importantly from New England’s standpoint, there has been absolutely no off-field news concerning Meriweather and his reportedly ‘troublesome’ attitude. None.
Not really a surprise when you consider Meriweather was in a locker room featuring the likes of veterans Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, Junior Seau and Richard Seymour. New England has always been a franchise built on a ‘team-first’ attitude with a stranglehold on off-field incidents…and Meriweather has proved to be no exception.
As for 2009, the time is now for the dreadlocked safety. Bruschi, Vrabel and Harrison are all long gone, and the torch has been passed to the likes of Meriweather and Mayo. The 25-year old has responded by posting 39 total tackles, good for second on the team, only four behind fellow safety Brandon McGowen. Meriweather is also first in tackles-for-loss (3), interceptions (2), has the lone defensive touchdown for the Patriots, and ranks second in forced fumbles (2) and passes defended (5).
Meanwhile, a reported ‘suspect’ Patriot secondary before the season currently ranks 6th in passing yards allowed per game. And suspect is being generous.
Not bad for a defense that features a bunch of rookies, washed-up veterans and a hot-headed safety.
As for that muffed interception back in February of 2007, you can bet when Meriweather gets a second chance on the big stage, he’ll convert.
And that’s a when, not if; because as he has all his life, Meriweather has seized the opportunity to play for New England and made everything of it. And he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
So, note to all other opposing players: get out of his way.
And a note to all New England fans: sit back and enjoy the ride as one of the best safeties in the NFL blossoms right before our eyes.
Great article. Born to a 13 year old mother? Invovled in the Miami brawl? Had no ide, really excited to watch him play now.
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