(Donna Svennevik/ESPN Images)
Last Saturday, ESPN New York 98.7FM’s Steve Weatherford – co-host of The Rothenberg and Weatherford Show – went to work like any other day.
As the day progressed, however, it became clear Weatherford’s weekend would take an unusual turn.
Released by the New York Giants in September after serving as the team’s punter the past four seasons, Weatherford wasn’t expecting to get a call to return to the NFL, especially while on the air, but that’s exactly what happened.
Mid-show, he was offered an opportunity to return to the NFL, as a punter for the New York Jets. Weatherford’s co-host Dave Rothenberg recalls the unusual moment for Front Row:
“As we sat in the break Saturday morning, Weatherford got a call from his agent: ‘Interested in punting tomorrow?’ he was asked.
“Weatherford was completely on board and excited. Then, as we were back on air, the Jets GM [Mike Maccagnan] called and welcomed him to the team. One other caveat, [we couldn’t] make this news public yet. We did mention he would punt the next day and gave all the details of how it went down, just avoided mentioning the club. All in all, it was a radio experience I’ve never experienced before.”
Weatherford, for his part, was excited for the opportunity.
ESPN NFL Nation reporter Rich Cimini, who covers the Jets, documented Weatherford’s signing and his release by the team yesterday.
Weatherford’s experience comes full circle this weekend, as he returns to host The Rothernberg and Weatherford Show this Saturday at 9 a.m. ET.
