Page 32 - Winter 2021

West Weeks, No. 7, hands off the ball to his brother, Whit Weeks, No. 4, during one of their games together with the Oconee County High School team.
But the father-son dynamic is just one way the Weeks connect with each other on the gridiron. The fact all three sons now play the game means they are closer than before. West, as the oldest, said he took it upon himself in the fall to help coach up Whit during games.
West had more experience playing defense prior to 2020 while Whit was new to that side of the ball at the time. Having his older brother there to provide real-time corrections at his new linebacker position was something Whit enjoyed.
“It’s really nice having him playing right next to me on defense, because I know if I mess something up, he’ll tell me,” Whit said. “I’ll fix it for the next play. He’s been playing the defense for three years, and I just started playing it this year.”
The elder Weeks brothers do the same for the youngest football star in the family.
David does the formal coaching for Zach’s games. Afterward, the brothers provide their own feedback.
“I like it when they come to one of my games because I’m like, ‘All right, I can finally show my big brothers what I can do,’” Zach said. “I’ll try and play my hardest, and then I’ll ask them what I can do better and what I did wrong. They always give me the things that I need to work on.”
West and Whit found greater common ground with their dad in recent times. As a senior, West was essentially finished with the college recruiting cycle in mid-November. At the time, West planned to play for the Virginia Cavaliers. Whit received his first couple of offers this fall.
David went through the college recruitment process in the early 1990s before he signed with Georgia. The Weeks patriarch said he tries to lend his sons as much advice as possible while they navigate the recruiting waters.
“They’re growing up in such a different time than when I grew up because of social media,” David said. “I just keep telling them to be humble and continue to work hard.”
The fact his oldest sons received college attention excites David.
Whit Weeks, right, crashes toward an opposing quarterback while trying to sack him during a 2020 game
“We laugh all the time because I’m an old offensive lineman, so I wasn’t a very good athlete at all,” David said. “All my kids are just so athletic, and they definitely got that from their mama. She’s the athlete in the family. I’ve seen how hard they work off the field, the stuff that nobody else sees.”
In addition to his coaching duties, David owns 13 restaurants in the area, including multiple Barberitos and Dunkin’ Donuts locations, along with Newk’s Eatery off Epps Bridge Parkway.
David entered the restaurant business in 2003. He mounted that venture because, as is the case with football players everywhere, he needed something else to do.
Because he knows that football does not last forever, David said he pushes his children to find other interests outside of sports. He and his wife want their kids to be well-rounded so that they are prepared for anything in life.
The OCHS football team was headed toward a playoff run as the Weeks family discussed their football journeys in mid- November. West’s forthcoming graduation in spring 2021 made them want to soak in the times they shared together.
West said that the COVID-19 pandemic made him more appreciative for the moments he had with his family and teammates. Whit was determined to make the most of his time as the second-oldest child in the Weeks house.
Zach, as the youngest brother and football player, took in everything he could from his older brothers while they were playing football at the same time. That was all part of the Weeks’ plan to enjoy the moment.
Even if there was light bickering over the Madden video game, they all wanted to make the most of their final months as a complete unit and their final period with four former and current football players all under one roof.
“We know that it’s going to be a transition for us, but it’s exciting because that’s life,” said David. “As parents, you want to see your kids have an opportunity to go do something that they love.”
PAGE 30 | OCONEE THE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021
Courtesy The Oocnee Enterprise
Courtesy Taylor Gerlach