SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Former Smoky Headed to Super Bowl

Published on January 30, 2004 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Houston, Texas- In 2000, Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke won the Heisman Trophy, thereby becoming the first (and likely only) Smoky to win the coveted award for college football's best player. Just four seasons prior, Weinke was with the Smokies, traveling the Southern League and playing alongside teammates such as Kelvim Escobar and Chris Stynes. Now, he's preparing for the Super Bowl. On the verge of history, Weinke is a Panthers win away from joining Hall of Famers Marcus Allen and Tony Dorsett as Heisman winners, NCAA champions, and Super Bowl winners.

Weinke played for the Smokies as a Blue Jays farmhand during both the 1994 and 1996 seasons. Following a six seasons in the minors, Weinke headed to Tallahassee to quarterback Bobby Bowden's Seminoles. It was a much better fit. Weinke played in three National Championship games and led the Seminoles to one NCAA title before being drafted by the Panthers. Carolina's starting quarterback for two seasons, now finds himself running the scout team offense in preparation for the big game in Houston. He's been running plays as Tom Brady for the Panthers offense.

Despite falling on the depth chart, Weinke is still the consummate teammate and professional.

"If anybody's gotten a raw shake in this deal, it's been Chris Weinke," Panthers coach John Fox acknowledged. "He could be bitter. He could be a distraction. But instead he's helped Jake and he's helped the coaches. He's just been a real positive force on this football team."

Should Weinke see playing time on Super Bowl Sunday, it would mean something went drastically wrong for the Panthers. Even so, he has the chance to pull a rare trifecta: Weinke would become the third player in history to win the Heisman Trophy, an NCAA national championship and a Super Bowl ring. Only Pro Football Hall of Fame members Tony Dorsett and Marcus Allen have accomplished the feat, but those guys never got to play at Bill Meyer Stadium.

Check out the Knoxville Smokies Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from January 30, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central