Kentucky linebacker JJ Weaver’s six-fingered hand lands him an NIL deal with Nike for ‘Perfect Fit’ glove
- He was born with six fingers on his right hand, a condition called polydactyly.
- Weaver revealed that he used to have to fit two pinky fingers into a slit on his gloves.
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University of Kentucky linebacker JJ Weaver went viral after his appearance on SEC media day after he not only revealed he had 11 fingers, but also signed an NIL deal with Nike.
Weaver was born with six fingers on his right hand, a condition known as polydactyly.
He revealed that he used to be teased about the condition and that he had problems when playing soccer, as he had to stick two pinky fingers into a slit in his gloves.
“With Nike, my mom and I sat down and talked about something about my hand, because I used to put two pinkies in a glove, you know,” she said, via AL.com.
“So my mom and I ended up contacting Nike, we ended up putting a name on it called “A Perfect Fit,” because it’s a perfect fit for my hand, for the gloves. So they made me an extra six-fingered glove.
Kentucky LB JJ Weaver went viral after revealing his six fingers got him an NIL deal from Nike
Now he reaches out to children dealing with similar situations and reflects on meeting two children with six fingers on one hand in an elementary school.
“When I was younger, I used to get teased a lot for being different,” she said. ‘People didn’t see this (kind of thing) growing up. Besides, we were kids. The kids were ugly, teasing and stuff like that.
‘When I grew up and got bigger than everyone else, they couldn’t make fun of me anymore.
‘I started playing football. I got into it. I loved. Then I went to the University of Kentucky, they helped me, and that’s when I started to express myself. I went to a primary school, the craziest thing in the world, two children had six fingers. They never saw me, a soccer player, I have six fingers. I have exploded ever since.
‘I end up talking to children now, because of my platform I do it. My logo is, ‘A Perfect Fit’, that’s what I call myself, and I’ve been helping the community.’
Weaver posted career-highs with 47 tackles last season, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, along with three sacks last season, despite missing time with an elbow injury.
Since joining the Wildcats as a four-star recruit, he has totaled 120 tackles, 10.0 sacks, 24.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions.
Weaver mentioned that he has added a total of 15 pounds so far this offseason and hopes to add another five before the season begins.
Weaver posted career-highs with 47 tackles, two forced recoveries and three fumbles.
His teammates also spoke about the improved mentality Weaver has shown this offseason.
“He’s always been a hard worker, always ticks the clock, but I feel like it’s the way the clock ticks now,” defensive lineman Octavious Oxendine said.
‘Our strength coach has been harping on us…it’s about how we do everything aggressively.
‘So we have to do things more aggressively. When you overcome obstacles, do it aggressively. When you lift, do it aggressively. Don’t just lift the weight. I feel like that’s something that’s changed in (Weaver), how he does things.’
