Sean Weatherspoon Franklin De ' Sean " Sean " Weatherspoon ( born December 29 , 1987 ) , better known as " Spoon , " is an American football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League . He played college football at University of Missouri , and was drafted by the Falcons with the 19th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft . High school career . Weatherspoon attended Jasper High School in Jasper , Texas where he was a versatile athlete who was an accomplished three - sport star in Texas , including as a linebacker in football . Sean was the 2006 recipient of the defensive Willie Ray Smith Award . He was named the Texas District 22 - 3A player of the year as a senior ; after making 98 tackles in 2005 for the Jasper Bulldogs . Sean had 8 tackles for loss in 2005 , and added 4 quarterback sack s along with 2 interceptions from his linebacker position as well . His high school football career also included a 2nd - Team All - State pick . Sean also played receiver on offense , and had 27 catches for 428 yards and 7 TDs . He was a 1st - Team All - District selection as a junior in 2004 at linebacker , after registering 105 tackles , 6 tackles for loss , 2 QB sacks and 3 interceptions . He was named the 22 - 3A defensive newcomer of the year as a sophomore in 2003 ; when he amassed 101 stops , 3 tackles for loss , 1 QB sack and 2 interceptions . He was an All - State high jumper in track , and an All - District performer as a guard in basketball . Considered only a two - star recruit by " Rivals . com " , Weatherspoon was not ranked among the best linebacker prospects in the nation . He chose Missouri over Iowa State , Houston , Tulane , and TCU , among others . College career . One of only four true freshmen to play for the Tigers in 2006 , Weatherspoon saw action in all 13 games , primarily on various special teams units , and was named Mizzou ' s special teams player of the year , as he led the team with 9 tackles on kickoff coverage . Weatherspoon was listed as the backup on the depth chart at middle linebacker to senior co - captain Dedrick Harrington , and had 17 tackles in all for the season . As a sophomore , Weatherspoon became a starter at weakside linebacker and blossomed into a leader on the field . He led the team with 130 tackles , and also broke up 8 passes on the year ( 2nd - most on the team ) . Weatherspoon received All - Big 12 First Team honors by the " Associated Press " , " San Antonio Express - News " , and " Rivals . com " in 2007 . In 2008 , Weatherspoon finished the season with 155 tackles , which were the 2nd - most in Missouri single - season history , trailing only to Travis McDonald ( 164 in 1994 ) . He also had 18 . 5 tackles for loss , 3 interceptions ( 2 of which he returned for touchdowns ) , and also broke up 7 passes . In the 2008 Alamo Bowl , Weatherspoon was named the game ' s defensive MVP after registering 17 tackles . He announced after the game that he had filed for the 2009 NFL Draft , but just to see where he would rank , and that he would return for his senior season . Professional career . Weatherspoon was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons 19th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft . He signed a five - year contract worth $ 17 . 5 million on July 29 , 2010 . In his 2010 season , Weatherspoon recorded 42 total tackles and one sack . In 2011 , he became the full - time starter at outside linebacker . He recorded 82 solo tackles , 33 assists , 4 . 0 sacks , 8 passes defensed , and 1 fumble recovery . In 2012 , Weatherspoon was named captain of the Falcons ' defense receiving play calls on the field . Personal . Sean was born to Develous Weatherspoon and Elwanda Martin Weatherspoon in Greenville , South Carolina in 1987 . He has an older sister Wanda and two older brothers Douglas and Develous Jr . Sean is the second cousin of former WNBA star Teresa Weatherspoon . The family originated in Pineland , Texas and moved to Greenville , South Carolina in 1984 . The family moved back to Texas in 1988 , settling in Jasper , Texas .