Super Bowl LII to boast ‘brotherly love’ for Lebo grads
Philadelphia may indeed be the “City of Brotherly Love” for Andy and Casey Weidl these days, but Mt. Lebanon once proved the municipality of amour for these siblings now preparing for Super Bowl LII.
The sons of George and Joanne Weidl are members of the front office for the Eagles, who will battle New England for football’s crown jewel, the Lombardi Trophy, in Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis Feb. 4.
Andy, 43, is the assistant director of player personnel. Though in his first season with the Eagles, he has worked 19 years in the NFL. Upon his graduation from Villanova, he started working for the Pittsburgh Steelers, then the New Orleans Saints before settling into his 11-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens, which included their Super Bowl championship in 2012.
Andy, who resides in New Jersey with his wife, Aimee, and two children, Payten, 5, and Luke, 4, came highly recommended to the Eagles from Tom Donahoe, a Mt. Lebanon native, too, with a long career in the NFL before resettling in Peters Township. When hired in 2016, the Eagles executive vice president of football operations noted Andy’s work ethic.
“You can sense his drive for scouting right off the bat and he has spent his entire career working for an opportunity like this,” said Howie Roseman, the executive vice president of football operations for the Eagles. “We are very pleased to have him.”
Casey, 31, also joined the Eagles in May 2016, but he arrived via Buffalo. There, he had spent his days breaking down video on opponents and taking still photographs for future use by the players in addition to scouting. Prior to that, Casey was a student assistant at Indiana University at Bloomington and a graduate assistant at IUP. For the Eagles, he serves as the college scouting coordinator.
The Weidl brothers won’t make the journey to Minneapolis alone. In addition to their dad, two other football-minded brothers will travel to the event to be held at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Kevin, 35, now works for the Ravens. The Charlotte resident is the team’s Southeast/Southwest scout after working seven years for ESPN. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications media with a minor in business administration from IUP.
Brennen, 39, works for PNC Bank. The 1997 Lebo alum is the chief of staff to the CIO of Corporate Banking. He resides in Peters Township with his wife, Dixie, and 3-year-old daughter, Rooney. The couple expects their second child in May.
“When I think about my four sons, I see four different men who have integrity, compassion and strong values, and who live their lives passionately,” said George Weidl. “I have seen each one define what it means to be happy and successful and pursue it. I am so proud of each one and so proud to be their dad. I am looking forward to being together with all of them at the big ‘event’ next weekend.”
For Andy and Casey there has been plenty to do long before the NFL’s main event.
After the Eagles defeated the Vikings, 38-7, at Lincoln Financial Field for the NFC championship, they rushed off to Alabama to evaluate the talent at the Senior Bowl. They caught a flight to Minneapolis on Jan. 28. Once the Super Bowl concludes, they will prepare for the scouting combines, which are set for Feb. 27. Next up is the NFL draft, which is the culmination of their months of labor and the focal point of their jobs.
“It’s non-stop,” Brennen said of his brothers’ schedules.
Scouting is also all-consuming and football is a year-long commitment for Andy, Casey and Kevin.
“All three of them have made sacrifices in their personal lives to pursue their passion for the game,” Brennen said. “Seeing them reach the milestone (that is the Super Bowl), speaks volumes of their knowledge and dedication on finding the best talent.”
The Weidl men represented some of Mt. Lebanon’s best talent.
Andy set the tone. He started playing football in fifth grade at Our Lady Of Grace Elementary School. At Mt. Lebanon, the 1992 alum earned The Almanac’s MVP honor. After playing linebacker and tight end for the Blue Devils, he excelled at guard for the Villanova Wildcats.
“Andy was so good and all the others looked up to him,” Joanne said. “He had a toughness about him but he was never too assured of himself. He was humble. He looked out for the underdog and he played with the team in mind. He bought into the theme ‘there’s no I in team’. I think that is why he is so successful in this business.”
Casey wasn’t as successful on the gridiron as Andy but he followed in his footsteps in the business. He played mostly special teams for the Blue Devils before graduating in 2005. He did not play in college, but stayed close to the IU football team, serving as team manager.
A 2001 Lebo graduate, Kevin lettered four years and played on Lebo’s last WPIAL championship club in 2000. He also is considered one of IUP’s finest quarterbacks, finishing his career ranked third in school history in passing TDs (50) and fifth in passing yards (5,594).
Brennen played in high school on special teams and as a back on offense. According to his mother, he only had so much ability and “recognized” it so she was not surprised he chose to take the corporate route.
“I thank God every day,” Joanne said. “I had four wonderful sons. Some had more (football) ability than others but they all were blessed with individual talents that have enabled them to be successful and good people. They have given us so much and so many memories.”
Brennen has become his brothers’ biggest cheerleader.
“Now seeing them thrive on the highest level (NFL), is something that is surreal,” Brennen said.
It’s rare having three siblings working in the NFL. Brennen, who earned a degree in computer information systems from Westminster College and an MBA from Duquesne University, wasn’t about to make it four. He’s adamant that’s three’s company in the NFL.
“Football was never in the cards for me and I wouldn’t change a thing about my past. I have been very blessed,” he added of his life, which has included working for Chevron, Exxon, MetLife, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan and PNC Bank and traveling the country and world with his wife.
Joanne and the family are now looking forward to the Super Bowl.
“It’s incredible, but Andy and Casey have worked very, very hard,” she said. “It’s exciting for all of them. To see them going to the Super Bowl is amazing. I’m happy for them.”
She’s so apprehensive about the Super Bowl that she may not watch the game.
“I’m so nervous,” she said.