NFL rookie JJ Weaver has signed for the Carolina Panthers, with the linebacker best known prior to his professional football arrival for having six fingers on his right hand.
Weaver, who was born with polydactyly, a birth defect where a baby is ‘born with extra fingers on their hand or extra toes on their foot,’ per the Cleveland Clinic.
About one in every thousand babies are born with polydactyly, with treatments differing based on where the extra digit is located.
Weaver has six fully functioning fingers, with his gloves from his days at Kentucky made specially for his unique limb.
Weaver was a star under Mark Stoops’ Wildcats team in the stiff competition of the Southeastern Conference for six years.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound linebacker had an extra-long stay in Lexington with a redshirt year in 2019 and being granted an additional year of eligibility due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rookie JJ Weaver, who was born with six fingers on his right hand, has signed for the Panthers
Weaver played for six seasons at Kentucky before getting his NFL opportunity in Carolina
After going undrafted, Weaver originally was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers, but was waived earlier this year.
His next chance at the NFL comes across the country in a more favorable situation, as the Panthers are an up-and-coming team looking to contend in the NFC South.
Weaver now has an uphill battle to make the Panthers’ 53-man roster, as he has around a month until the harsh cut, with less time around his teammates and Carolina’s coaches than most.
Yet, him impressing without making that cut could lead to future opportunities with other teams, including as a valued member of the practice squad.
Weaver is one of three Kentucky players all time to be a captain in three separate seasons. Those leadership skills may translate to NFL success despite being born with six fingers on his right hand.
The NFL does not have a rule on polydactyly, stating whether it gives Weaver a competitive advantage, or disadvantage, as did the NCAA.
Now, it is just a matter of time to see whether the six-finger man can stick with the Panthers.
