The world today mourns the passing of Carl Weathers, a man whose dynamic life left a legacy spanning the fields of professional football and the silver screen. Weathers, who passed away peacefully in his sleep at age 76. leaves indelible marks as a pioneering athlete and a larger-than-life Hollywood icon. For Raiders fans, however, his impact started long before the fame—on the fields of Oakland, where he donned the silver and black and began a journey as unique as any in the franchise’s storied history.
Raider Roots: Carl Weathers’ NFL Journey
Before he was Apollo Creed or Greef Karga, Carl Weathers was an undrafted linebacker walking into the Oakland Raiders’ locker room in 1970, determined to prove himself. Coming out of San Diego State University, he joined a team known for hard-nosed play and strong personalities—a perfect match for a man of Weathers’ uncommon blend of athleticism and intellect. However, his Raiders tenure was brief by stat sheet standards, his time with the team was transformative—for both Weathers and, quietly, the culture of football players seeking meaning beyond the gridiron.
Weathers made the active roster as a free agent, displaying the fierce work ethic and mental toughness that Raiders head coach John Madden demanded. He appeared in seven games in the 1970 season, contributing to a defense that powered Oakland to the AFC West Division title and the first-ever AFC Championship Game. Converted to strong safety the following season, he appeared in one game before being released, with Madden famously remarking that Weathers was “too sensitive” for the demands of pro football. It was a verdict that spoke more to Weathers’s introspective nature and burgeoning sense of self than any deficiency as an athlete.
Though his time with the team included just eight regular-season games, Weathers often remarked on the lasting value of his experience as a Raider—the organization, forever one of the NFL’s most distinct, rewarded individuality. Unsurprisingly, the young Weathers, a student of theater and football, would thrive here. The lessons of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance would serve him long after he left Oakland.
Aztec Ascent: San Diego State and a Championship
Carl Weathers’ Raider story began with an outstanding collegiate career at San Diego State, a place he would later call one of the most formative chapters in his life. Transferring from Long Beach City College after an early injury setback, Weathers emerged as a versatile defensive end and later linebacker for the Aztecs under legendary coach Don Coryell. Alongside teammates equally committed to winning, he helped build a powerhouse program that captured the 1969 Pasadena Bowl and finished the season with a perfect 11–0 record and a No. 18 national ranking.
San Diego State in the late 1960s was not just about football for Weathers. He majored in theater arts, exploring passions onstage that would shape his future as much as anything on the field. Weathers recalled feeling at home at SDSU, which nurtured his athletic and artistic ambitions—laying the groundwork for a future few athletes would dare to imagine, let alone pursue.
His dual interests made him an outlier but also gave him new purpose. At a school where he could be a star linebacker and a drama student, Weathers fine-tuned the versatility and adaptability that made him a trailblazer for future generations. Those who knew him at San Diego State remember him as a man driven to excel, always equally committed to lifting his teammates and seizing opportunities to express himself.
From the Gridiron to the Spotlight: A Hollywood Icon Emerges
After leaving professional football and spending time in the Canadian Football League following his Raiders days, Weathers faced a difficult choice: attempt another comeback or pursue his true passion: acting. It was a gamble, but Weathers threw himself into it with the same determination he’d shown on the field.
His breakout came with the role of Apollo Creed in Sylvester Stallone’s 1976 classic, Rocky. Weathers’ portrayal—equal parts pride, bravado, and vulnerability—redefined cinematic athleticism and made him one of the most iconic characters in sports film history. He reprised the role through four Rocky films, earning recognition for his ability to infuse depth into what could have been a mere foil to Stallone’s underdog hero.
Success on the big screen led to a string of celebrated roles: as Dillon opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator,” the indelible Chubbs Peterson in “Happy Gilmore,” and Greef Karga in The Mandalorian, among numerous appearances in comedic and dramatic television and film. Weathers never let his athletic background define him; instead, he embraces a legacy as a multifaceted performer. Yet the discipline and focus formed in the trenches of Raider training camps were visible in every role.
In his later years, Weathers continued acting, directing, and mentoring younger performers. He remained active in NFL circles, narrating season recaps and participating in broadcasts such as the 2017 NFL Draft. The respect he earned from teammates, collaborators, and audiences stemmed from a fierce humility and joy that never faded, no matter the spotlight.
Legacy: Raider Spirit, On and Off the Field
Carl Weathers’ passing is mourned around the world. For Raiders Nation, he remains a symbol of doing things your way, of the grit and grace it takes to make it as a Silver and Black. His time on the football field is part of the team’s heritage—and in his post-football rise, he became a reminder that the Raider mentality is about more than victories; it’s about the courage to chase dreams and break the mold at every turn.
Weathers never forgot where he came from. He could often be found telling young athletes to pursue every passion, to fight for every opportunity, and to be unafraid of reinvention and new challenges. His story, lifted by the spirit of the Raiders—fierce, bold, and fearless—proves that greatness is measured not by a stat line, but by the impact left on teammates, friends, fans, and the countless millions who followed and were inspired by his journey.
Carl Weathers leaves an enduring legacy in the hearts of the Raider Nation, the San Diego State Aztec family, and anyone who has dared to follow their calling. His story remains a testament to unstoppable ambition and the enduring power of the Silver and Black—on the field, in Hollywood, and everywhere the game of football and the art of performance continue to inspire.
