The NFL and entertainment industry just lost a great man.
Carl Weathers was respected and beloved alike all over the world, being mostly remembered for his work as Apollo Creed in the Rocky saga.
That’s why, ever since the news of his passing broke, he’s gotten countless tributes and words of affection from some of the most prominent names on Earth.
Notably, that includes former All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman, who took to Twitter to remember the time he met him.
Despite being undrafted and unknown and just another guy working out at the Golds Gym at Venice Beach, Weathers still reached out and introduced himself to Merriman, who was so starstruck at the moment that he even called him ‘Apollo.’
“We kept in touch over the years but one of the nicest, coolest people that was at his level I ever met in my life. RIP my man,” Merriman said.
Before I got drafted I was training at the Golds Gym in Venice Beach when I first saw Carl Weathers. I kept looking at him and didn’t want to bother him while he was working out. He came over to introduce himself and I was so damn star struck I called him Apollo lol. We kept in… pic.twitter.com/rvrGtUECJJ
— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) February 3, 2024
The former player-turned-MMA entrepreneur lauded Weathers and called him one of the coolest people he ever met, and that seems to be the common sentiment around every single person who got the privilege to know him.
Younger fans may not know it, but Weathers also had a brief stint in the league, just like Terry Crews and several actors.
He attended Long Beach City College before transferring to San Diego State to play linebacker.
After going undrafted in 1970, he had an opportunity to play for the then-Oakland Raiders, making eight appearances in the league.
He later pursued his football career playing in the CFL for the BC Lions, logging one fumble recovery in 13 appearances across three years.
Then, he got his big break, and the rest, as we all know by now, is history.
The post Shawne Merriman Reacts To Carl Weathers’ Passing appeared first on The Cold Wire.