Ron Weaver
Encyclopedia
Ron Weaver was a college football player for the University of Texas. Weaver, who played under the alias Joel Ron McKelvey, played under his own name when he enrolled at Monterey Peninsula College
in the fall of 1984, then at Sacramento State
, which was a Division II program, in 1988. Hence, Weaver had already used up his NCAA eligibility by 1989. After graduation, Weaver failed tryouts with the British Columbia Lions
of the Canadian Football League
and with the Houston Oilers, largely because he was deemed not to be fast (he ran only 4.6 in the 40-yard dash or strong enough (he could only bench-press 250 pounds) to be viable in the pros.
Weaver was able to pull off his scam by enrolling at Los Angeles Pierce College
under an assumed name and a different date of birth, using the name and Social Security number
of a friend, who had never played sports. He played two seasons at Los Angeles Pierce College before transferring to Texas, where he was recruited by the defensive backs coach and claimed his age was 23 instead of 30. Weaver also joined the team after photos had already been taken for the team media guide. He played cornerback for Texas and received a full scholarship. He reportedly was not caught until he told a reporter that he planned to write a book about his scheme. He was not exposed until the day before the 1996 Sugar Bowl
, when The Salinas Californian
, acting on an anonymous tip, revealed that he was really 30 years old. A promise to produce a birth certificate came to nothing, and he disappeared shortly before the game. The Longhorns were blown out in that game by Virginia Tech
; according to several school officials, the Longhorns were devastated that one of their teammates was an impostor.
Coach John Mackovic
and other officials claimed to know nothing of Weaver's fraud until he was caught. Despite some initial concern, the Longhorns were not forced to forfeit any of the games in which Weaver had played, as there was no evidence that any team officials knew or could have known about his fraud. Additionally, he had no impact on the outcome of any of the games in which he played. , this is the last known case of someone fraudulently playing NCAA Division I football.
After the story broke, Weaver's mother said she was flooded with offers for her son to sell the rights to his story.
Weaver ultimately pleaded guilty in a California federal court to misusing a Social Security number; he did not serve any jail time.
Weaver's sister, Bonita Money, later became known as a minor actor who got into a 1992 fight with Shannen Doherty
and was involved in a 2005 alleged kidnapping.
Monterey Peninsula College
Monterey Peninsula College commonly called MPC is a public community college located in Monterey, California. Established in 1947, it is a part of the California Community Colleges system.-External links:*...
in the fall of 1984, then at Sacramento State
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento, popularly known as Sacramento State, is a public university located in the city of Sacramento, California. It is part of the California State University system...
, which was a Division II program, in 1988. Hence, Weaver had already used up his NCAA eligibility by 1989. After graduation, Weaver failed tryouts with the British Columbia Lions
British Columbia Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
and with the Houston Oilers, largely because he was deemed not to be fast (he ran only 4.6 in the 40-yard dash or strong enough (he could only bench-press 250 pounds) to be viable in the pros.
Weaver was able to pull off his scam by enrolling at Los Angeles Pierce College
Los Angeles Pierce College
Los Angeles Pierce College, also known as Pierce College, Pierce, is a community college that serves more than 23,000 students in the northern Chalk Hills of Woodland Hills, a community within the San Fernando Valley region of the city of Los Angeles, California.The college began with 70 students...
under an assumed name and a different date of birth, using the name and Social Security number
Social Security number
In the United States, a Social Security number is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents under section 205 of the Social Security Act, codified as . The number is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration, an independent...
of a friend, who had never played sports. He played two seasons at Los Angeles Pierce College before transferring to Texas, where he was recruited by the defensive backs coach and claimed his age was 23 instead of 30. Weaver also joined the team after photos had already been taken for the team media guide. He played cornerback for Texas and received a full scholarship. He reportedly was not caught until he told a reporter that he planned to write a book about his scheme. He was not exposed until the day before the 1996 Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
, when The Salinas Californian
The Salinas Californian
The Salinas Californian is a newspaper published in Salinas, California. It is owned by Gannett Company, which bought the Salinas Californian in 1977.-External links:* *...
, acting on an anonymous tip, revealed that he was really 30 years old. A promise to produce a birth certificate came to nothing, and he disappeared shortly before the game. The Longhorns were blown out in that game by Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies football
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over...
; according to several school officials, the Longhorns were devastated that one of their teammates was an impostor.
Coach John Mackovic
John Mackovic
John Mackovic is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of United States national American football team, which was formed to compete in the American Football World Cup...
and other officials claimed to know nothing of Weaver's fraud until he was caught. Despite some initial concern, the Longhorns were not forced to forfeit any of the games in which Weaver had played, as there was no evidence that any team officials knew or could have known about his fraud. Additionally, he had no impact on the outcome of any of the games in which he played. , this is the last known case of someone fraudulently playing NCAA Division I football.
After the story broke, Weaver's mother said she was flooded with offers for her son to sell the rights to his story.
Weaver ultimately pleaded guilty in a California federal court to misusing a Social Security number; he did not serve any jail time.
Weaver's sister, Bonita Money, later became known as a minor actor who got into a 1992 fight with Shannen Doherty
Shannen Doherty
Shannen Maria Doherty is an American actress, producer, author and television director, known for her work as Heather Duke in Heathers , as Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210 and its spinoff series 90210, and as Prue Halliwell in Charmed .-Early life and career:Doherty was born in Memphis,...
and was involved in a 2005 alleged kidnapping.