For a guy who includes the word “beard” in his official Twitter handle, new Ravens safety Eric Weddle arrived in Owings Mills with a startling look on Wednesday.
The longtime San Diego Charger shaved off his trademark facial hair last month, but he has been asked the question over and over.
Why?
“I’m regretting it by the second that I shaved it,” said Weddle, who is now sporting a much thinner beard. “It was a spur of the moment. I was working out one morning, and I got done, and it was just everywhere. There was sweat and water and who knows — probably bugs in there. I’m like, ‘What am I doing? I look ridiculous right now.'”
His wife, Chanel, tried to convince the 31-year-old defensive back to wait and think of something creative, but Weddle instead used Twitter to let his fans know what was happening after nearly three years of growth and much notoriety.
The beard could be making a comeback in his new city, however, and based on what we’ve seen in the past, he would be the favorite to unseat five-time Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda for the title of having the best beard on the Ravens.
“Luckily in the NFL, they don’t care what you look like as long as you play good,” Weddle said. “I might have to bring it back now. I’m getting too many people asking me. I need to bring it back.
“But I get more kisses from my wife, so that’s always a plus.”
But honestly, what wife wouldn’t want to kiss this?
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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