It was tough to leave the memories and friendships behind. Sean Weatherspoon knew that would be the case.
When the 28-year-old linebacker, who was the Falcons' first-round draft pick in 2010, packed his things and headed out of Atlanta last year, reality set in.
"It was very tough," Weatherspoon said. "I remember leaving the city and it just really sinking in like, 'Wow, I'm about to put my house on the market.' That was something I had to come to terms with it. Ultimately, I just trusted in God that whatever the next step was, everything was going to be OK."
The next step led the former Falcon back to the NFC Championship Game, this time as member of the Arizona Cardinals.
It seems like just yesterday when Weatherspoon sat in the stands at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte rooting on the Falcons while recovering from a season-ending Achilles tear. Now, Weatherspoon hopes to make the most of his snaps as the Cardinals and Carolina Panthers square off in the same venue Sunday evening (6:40 p.m. ET).
"I'm in the NFC Championship Game, and you can't beat that," Weatherspoon said. "There are a lot of guys who are wishing they could play this weekend."
Weatherspoon wanted to remain in Atlanta, but the feeling wasn't initially mutual. He started 13 regular-season games and two playoff contests in 2012, when the Falcons lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Then Weatherspoon missed nine games in 2013 with Lisfranc ligament and knee sprains. He was sidelined the entire 2014 season after rupturing his Achilles in the offseason.
Those injuries obviously played into how the Falcons approached Weatherspoon and free agency.
"When Atlanta wanted to do the first deal, I think their number was close to $1.25 million or $1.75 million," Weatherspoon explained. "A lot of it was incentive-based -- not only games [active], you feel me? We were making up some bonuses. But I understand. That's why you've got to have faith.
"I could understand from the Falcons' perspective because I was banged-up for the last few years. I understood that they already paid me money. But I didn't go anywhere else to rehab. I did all my stuff with them to show that I was about them. So, I thought maybe they'd show me a little bit more. Ultimately, they ended up getting to our number. I just kept praying about it."
Arizona and New Orleans were the primary suitors for Weatherspoon and talked two-year contracts. Eventually, Weatherspoon committed to a one-year "prove-it" deal with the Cardinals worth $3.85 million, with $1.25 million in a signing bonus and $250,000 in a workout bonus.
"I had to be a businessman as well," Weatherspoon said. "I have a 10-month-old daughter sitting here. You do the math. You don't know how many years you're going to play in this league, so, ultimately, you've got to do what you've got to do.
"The Falcons eventually came around and showed me they wanted me to be there, but it was kind of like pulling teeth. By that time, I already started talking to these other people and started making commitments. I prayed about, and God led me to Arizona. And here we are, in the NFC Championship Game. There are no hard feelings at all."
Just like Weatherspoon had to accept not being a top priority in Atlanta, he had to cope with playing a reserve role with the Cardinals. The situation might have been different had he not suffered a hamstring injury during training camp. It set back his transition to a new defense and led to him playing 14 games as a substitute. He had a combined 11 tackles in 121 snaps. In a 3-4 defense, Weatherspoon plays the swing role at the Mike and Mo (Will) linebacker positions.
"After games, when my parents came, I'd be a little down because we won the game but I'd be like, 'Man, I feel like I didn't get to do much to contribute to the win,'" Weatherspoon said. "What I had to do was accept the role that I had. The role I had was the third-down package. In passing situations, they're wanting me to go out and cover the backs.
“My other role was to help the young guys that were playing as much as I can because I've been to the NFC Championship Game. I've been a captain at the age of 24. There are things that I've already experienced throughout my career. Whatever they ask me to do, I'm just going to come in and do it and work hard."
Weatherspoon, known as a vocal and emotional leader in the Falcons' locker room, still stays in touch with his former teammates. He consoled fellow Missouri Tiger William Moore when Moore suffered a season-ending ankle injury. He's traded messages with Julio Jones, Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Desmond Trufant.
Being that he signed a one-year deal, Weatherspoon could hit free agency again in March. The Falcons need help at linebacker.
Could Weatherspoon envision himself back in Atlanta?
"Of course," he said. "I'm auditioning for all 32 teams. I'm just looking for an opportunity, wherever it is. I would love to come back to Arizona. And there are a lot of places in the league you look at and say, 'Man, that would be a fun place to play.'
"But right now, I'm locked in. I told my agent we will figure that out when we get to that bridge. Right now, it's about this Arizona team and this championship. I'm just trying to go capture this moment."
