Patriots Release Statement Following the Death Of Former Linebacker

The New England Patriots have shared an emotional statement following the death of their former linebacker.

Former NFL linebacker Clayton Weishuhn lost his life in a car accident near his hometown of Wall, Texas, on Friday. Several sources, including Charles Bryce of the San Angelo Standard-Times, reported the car wreck. Weishuhn died at 62.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of former Patriots linebacker Clayton Weishuhn: https://t.co/J0gHKog7dB

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 25, 2022

Sources reveal that Weishuhn wasn’t wearing his seat belt. He was ejected from the vehicle during the one-car rollover accident. The Texas Department of Public Safety shared details in the official report. 

Patriots devastated after the death of the former linebacker despite his short career

Weishuhn was an NAIA All-American at Angelo State. He led the school to a national title in 1978. The Patriots liked his potential and selected him in the third round of the 1982 NFL Draft. In 1983, Weishuhn totaled 229 tackles and this is still a single-season team record. No player has ever managed to pass this number.

Sadly, Weishuhn sustained a knee injury in the opening game of the 1984 season. This injury kept him on the sideline throughout the entire season and the following season as well. Weishuhn returned to game action in 1986, but sustained a hamstring and a groin injury after four games. The season was over for him.

New England didn’t get the best of his performance. The team decided to send him to the Green Bay Packers in 1987. Weishuhn played seven games with the Packers and called it career at 27.

In his six seasons in the NFL, the former linebacker played in 39 games with 26 starts.

Weishuhn was in and out of the game, but he was an excellent player when healthy. He was plagued with injuries and this brought his NFL career to an end. Weishuhn would have been even more successful, but these injuries put a spell on him. Retiring at such an early age made sense back in the days. Weishuhn did the best for his life. Those injuries had a huge impact on his professional life.

The world lost a good man and we are sending our thoughts and prayers to his family.