Eric Weddle has developed a reputation as one of the NFL s best defensive minds, a fundamentally sound tackling machine, and a reliable last line of defense in the secondary for the San Diego Chargers. Prior to the 2011 season, the Chargers made Eric one of the highest paid safeties in league history by signing him to a five-year, $40 million contract. Honestly, who would have ever thought I would be at where I am today? Eric said. I was a kid who loved sports, who struggled, who was benched, who was injured, but I didn t let the little things get me down. The little things don t affect who I am or what I m about, but they drive me to do better. To get better today, you must demand more than you did yesterday. Winners pay the price to reach their goals. Weddle s story is about overcoming adversity and accomplishing impossible dreams. It s about an athlete who surprised his family and friends by joining the Mormon church, and about how his faith has continued to bless his life. It s a story about epic wins and devastating losses, confidence and character. It s a story of a man who values his family above all else. In short, it s a story about living each day with no excuses and no regrets. Eric's story not only shows that he is an all-around athlete and has emerged as one of the top young safeties in the game, but it accurately illustrates that you don't have to be the biggest, the strongest, or the fastest to defy the odds and achieve your goals. Everyone should read No Excuses, No Regrets. --Adam Schefter, NFL Insider for ESPN Eric Weddle has been a pillar of the NFL community, exemplary on the field and off. His story is one of dedication and perseverance, and he rose to become one of he dominant safeties in the game, silencing detractors and becoming one of the cornerstones of the Chargers organization. Football fans everywhere will enjoy his tale. --Jason La Canfora, NFL Insider for CBS If you are impressed as I am by Eric Weddle the player and leader, you will be even more so by the view of Eric Weddle the person and father that you gain from No Excuses, No Regrets. Alex Marvez, Senior NFL Writer, Foxsports.com It is nice to read the stories of top draft picks that were supposed to be good. It is better to read about guys like Eric Weddle who through hard work and passion grew to dominate his position in the league. --Darren Rovell, ESPN Sports Business Reporter Trent Toone is a journalist for the Deseret News, where he writes for a variety of feature sections. He graduated from the University of Utah in 2003. He has worked for several newspapers and received several awards over his fifteenyear journalism career. Trent and his wife, Lisa, are the parents of three children and reside in Syracuse, Utah. More than a decade later, the undersized Weddle has achieved more than 99 percent of what the recruiters dreamed possible for him. First, he was named a consensus all-American at the University of Utah. After trading away four picks, the San Diego Chargers picked Eric in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. He became the Chargers’ starting free safety in 2008. Since then, Eric has developed a reputation as one of the NFL’s bright, defensive minds, a fundamentally sound tackling machine, and a reliable last line of defense in the secondary. Prior to the 2011 season, San Diego made Eric one of the highest-paid safeties in league history by signing him a five-year, $40-million contract. Eric proved he was worth the lucrative investment by having the best season of his career. One of the team’s elected captains, Eric posted a league-best seven interceptions, made his first Pro Bowl roster, and was named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press, one of the most respected honors an NFL player can receive in a career. He followed that performance up with another all-pro season in 2012. That’s not bad for a player who was supposed to be too short to play college football.