Former Buff Weatherspoon Passes Away
HOUSTON ? Former University of Colorado fullback Anthony Weatherspoon, one of the key players in CU’s turnaround in the mid-1980s, passed away here Tuesday following a yearlong battle against both leukemia and MDS, a rare blood disorder.
“Spoon,” as he was known to his teammates and legion of Colorado fans, died at 6:45 p.m. central time at the age of 39.
Weatherspoon was in need of a bone marrow transplant, and a donor deemed a 90 percent match had been located. However, he was never well enough to be in position to have the surgery. His health started to deteriorate last month, just prior to a long-awaited trip to Austin where he had hoped to watch his beloved Buffaloes play Texas last month.
He was unable to make that trip and had been on kidney dialysis since Nov. 5. He was placed on a respirator the night before he passed as infections had spread to his lungs.
Married and the father of three young daughters, Weatherspoon had resided in Orange, Calif., and took leave from his job as a financial advisor after first taking ill. Tests revealed that he had Myelodysplastic Syndrome, OR MDS, as well as Myelofibrosis, a rare blood disease where the bone marrow doesn’t produce the right kind of white blood cells in the body to fight infection. The disease eventually turned into full-blown leukemia.
He relocated his family to Houston last winter to receive treatment at the world-renowned M.D. Anderson Medical Center.
Two of his teammates, defensive tackles Jim Smith and Brad Robinson, took turns updating former players and staff of Weatherspoon’s condition over the past 13 months in addition to coordinating fundraising activities for the family, his wife Jacqueline and daughters, Tasha (9), and two special need children, Julissa (8) and Destiny (5).
“Spoon was a tenacious fullback, and his talents helped lay the foundation that turned the Buffs into a national power,” Robinson said. “He had that brilliant smile in the locker room and on campus with his teammates and friends. But on the field, he snarled like a wild bison and rumbled for every yard. ?Spooon’ was one of the first players to have a nickname chanted by the crowds at Folsom Field. He sort of paved the way for the O.C. Oliver and J.J. Flannigan chants.”
“As he was fighting for his life last week, he was at peace with everyone and everything,” Robinson added. “He had a tremendous love for the Jesus and Heaven that awaits him. He felt all of the love from all of his teammates and Buffalo brothers and supporters over the past eight months.
“He talked about his love for his wife and girls, he appreciated all that was being done for them and often cried when we discussed them. He shared many prayers and he had his Bible in his hand; that was his primary read, it was his focus over the past few months, possessions or finances meant little to nothing. He reminded me to focus on what’s important. ?Hug your wife and kids bro,’ is one of the last things he said to me. Those words ring louder than the fifty thousand chanting ?Spoon!’
“He’s probably hanging with Sal tonight,” Robinson concluded, referring to late CU quarterback Sal Aunese, who died on Sept. 23, 1989 from complications due to stomach cancer.
“Like all of the Buff family, I am truly heartbroken to hear the news on the passing of OUR friend Anthony,” expressed former tailback J.J. Flannigan via e-mail. “He and Jo Jo Collins were the main reasons why I chose CU as my new home away from home.
“Anthony’s mom and family sat next to me when I was a senior in high school at the Freedom Bowl against
“Sal finally has his fullback again.”
When first diagnosed, Weatherspoon said, “God’s blessed me with it (MDS), so there must be a reason for me having it,” Weatherspoon said. “You can’t waste time worrying about why; maybe that’s because you mature when you have a family and kids, and that’s how I see things.
“My wife’s done absolutely everything, and she’s been a true blessing. What a diamond, a very special woman.” While at peace with what happened to him, his main concern was for his family.
He reiterated those thoughts many times to several people over the past few months.
“What (has) really kept me going was the constant communication with many former teammates and coaches,” Weatherspoon told Colorado sports information director David Plati in October the Wednesday before he had planned to travel the three hours over to Austin.
“People have no idea how close Buff Nation really is,” Weatherspoon said. “The outpouring of support for myself and especially my family has been uplifting and has been something I have been able to draw upon when I get down. Knowing so many people care has made a difference.”
He had several conversations with his old roommate on road trips, fellow fullback Eric McCarty, who is now CU’s director of sports medicine. Weatherspoon cherished reconnecting with his old buddy. “It was so good to talk with him, to catch up with him,” he said in October.
Weatherspoon was a key player in CU’s switch to the wishbone offense under McCartney in 1985. That season, he led the team in rushing with 569 yards, and was second the following season with 581. His 1,193 career yards still stands 35th all-time at the school. He rushed for 101 yards in a 21-17 win over Oregon in 1985, his top single-game yardage effort, and one of the first signature wins in CU’s return to national prominence.
Born July 12, 1966 in Hinnesville, Ga., he was an all-league performer in football at La Habra (Calif.) High School where he lettered in track and wrestling.
Those who wish to help the family cover medical and funeral expenses as well as other needs for the family as they return to California can contribute to the Anthony Weatherspoon Memorial Fund at any Wells Fargo location (account number 6349085354). Notes and donations can also be sent directly to Jackie Weatherspoon at 8181 Fannin Street, Apt. 2418, Houston, TX 77054.
In one of his last Email exchanges he had with Robinson, Spoon included this passage:
Father you give us grace you give us happiness
You are in control and your mercy and your will are being done
We are not in this alone... and we give great joy to you
In Jesus’ name... Amen
ANTHONY “SPOON” WEATHERSPOON
The funeral home is Memorial