Kentucky’s JJ Weaver’s 6 fingers lead to ‘A Perfect Fit’ with Nike

JJ Weaver was picked on as kid for being born with six fingers on his right hand.

Now, the Kentucky linebacker is an inspiration and wants to give back to the community.

Weaver, who joined the SEC Network on Wednesday, during SEC media days in Nashville, talked how difficult it was to wear gloves growing up. In the era of NIL, Weaver and his mother reached out to Nike. As it turns out, it’s a perfect fit.

“With Nike, me and my mom, we sat down, and we talked about, something about my hand, because I used to put like, two pinkies in one glove, you know,” he said. “So me and my mom ended up contacting Nike, we ended up making a name for 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.”

That’s right. A 6-finger glove was designed. Now, he is reaching out to children who deal with similar situations, explaining how he visited an elementary school and meeting to kids who both had six fingers on one hand.

“When I was younger, I used to get picked on a lot, being different,” he said. “People didn’t see this (kind of thing) growing up. Plus, we were kids. Kids were ugly, making fun and stuff like that.

“When I grew up and got bigger than everyone else, they couldn’t make fun of me no more.

“Started playing football. Got into it. Loved it. Then went to the University of Kentucky, they helped me and that’s when I started expressing myself. I went to an elementary school, craziest thing ever, two kids had six fingers. They never seen me — a football player, have six fingers. I blew up ever since then.

“I end up talking to kids now, for my platform I do. My logo is, ‘A Perfect Fit,’ that’s what I call myself going around, and I’ve been helping the community out.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.