JJ Weaver was named the eighth annual Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year in 2025, recognizing the FBS player who best demonstrates an outstanding record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity, and sportsmanship. His story embodies inspiration and resilience, born with polydactyly — a condition that led to him having six fingers on his […]
JJ Weaver was named the eighth annual Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year in 2025, recognizing the FBS player who best demonstrates an outstanding record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity, and sportsmanship. His story embodies inspiration and resilience, born with polydactyly — a condition that led to him having six fingers on his right hand — and later dealt with the loss of his father, who was murdered in 2020 during the former Wildcat’s time in Lexington. Months later, he suffered a season-ending torn ACL and then saw his high school coach die following a battle with cancer.
The Louisville native managed to overcome it all as a five-year letter winner and three-time captain with 58 career games and 39 starts — including 29 straight in games played. He’d finish his time at Kentucky with 197 career tackles, 39.5 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, eight pass breakups, two interceptions, five forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and a blocked kick.
Now, he’s fighting for a roster spot with the Carolina Panthers and picking up national attention as a rookie. We know his story well, but now, People Magazine is letting the world learn about J.J. Weaver and everything he’s overcome in life entering the NFL.
“I have an extra pinky on my right hand,” Weaver told the popular outlet of his condition known as polydactyly. “… My granny always knew I was going to be special, different than a lot of people because of my right hand,” the outside linebacker continues. “It was just unique. A ‘God gift,’ we called it. God blessed me another gift.”
That led to bullying as a kid, the future football star made fun of for his physical appearance.
“I wasn’t happy about myself,” he said. “I got really picked on because I was different.”
Now, he’s dedicated to helping kids in similar situations, pushing to instill confidence in those who may be different.
“I just love going back to schools, talk to the kids,” Weaver told People. “I know when I was around that age, I was bullied and didn’t like myself, I just wanted to make sure to talk to the kids [and say], ‘Look, this is possible. It’s okay to be different. Everyone is different, I understand how you guys feel.'”
The former Wildcat talked about his six-finger glove Nike got him set up with during his playing days at Kentucky and how his journey inspired him to start The Perfect Fit Club, a way to “spread awareness and allow kids across the world to feel comfortable in their own skin.” The foundation helps youth manage grief, raise awareness for mental health, work to prevent violence in communities and foster coping mechanisms for conflict.
His message to those kids? Keep going.
“Man, don’t give up. Keep being you. Be aspiring to others, be different,” he said of those dealing with hardships the way he did growing up. “… What’s different about you, like me and my hand, just express yourself. It’s okay to be different. It’s okay to love yourself.”
You can read Weaver’s full People feature right HERE.
Keep making us proud, J.J. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.
Category: Football
