Weddle relishing bowl week, hanging with Utes

SAN DIEGO — As soon as Eric Weddle knew the Utes were going to the Poinsettia Bowl, he started making plans and checking schedules.

To his delight, the San Diego Chargers rookie learned he had plenty of time to hang out with his former teammates and coaches during bowl week.

"It all worked out perfect," Weddle said while watching Utah's practice at the University of San Diego Monday morning. "I'm excited — stoked I can be around the team this much."

Weddle and wife, Chanel, are spending three nights at the Utes' team hotel — in a room on a floor where the players are staying.

"It's great. He's going to be with us this whole week, and it'll be nice to be with him," senior safety Steve Tate said. "It's always good to have your brother, so to speak, back."

The reunion is special for Weddle as well.

"I'm loving it," he said. "It's been a long time since I've seen them."

Weddle arrived at the San Diego Sheraton Hotel and Marina a few hours after the Utes watched him play in the Chargers' 51-14 victory over the Lions Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.

"It's just been amazing to see everyone — all the players and coaches. This is like my extended family," he explained. "I feel close to a majority of all of these guys here. They're like my family, like my brothers. I really treat it like that."

As such, Weddle noted, he values any opportunity to be around them and to show his support.

"That's the way this team is," Weddle said. "We're just a close-knit group, and we're always there for each other."

Weddle hopes to shed light on his ex-teammates to cherish the moment and realize that there's nothing like the relationships built in college football.

"I'm just hanging out with them and trying to spend as much time as I can," he said.

Weddle, in fact, may even join the Utes at Sea World Tuesday — a place he hasn't seen since he was 5-years-old or so.

Life in the NFL hasn't changed his support for the program.

"I'm still the same old guy," he said. "I've still got my Honda.

I'm the same Eric that went up to Utah four years ago."