Hall of Fame
Position: End
Years: 1946-1949
Place of Birth: Newark, NJ
Date of Birth: Aug 16, 1926
Place of Death: Greensboro, NC
Date of Death: Dec 25, 2013
Jersey Number: 50
Height: 6-3
Weight: 212
High School: Newark, NJ (Westside HS)
Born in Newark, N.J., on Aug. 16, 1926, Art Weiner enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 15. He left the service at the age of 20, standing 6'3" and weighing 212 pounds, and enrolled at the University of North Carolina.
Teaming with fellow Hall of Famer Charlie Justice, Weiner led the Tar Heels to a 32-9-2 record and three New Year’s Day bowl games during his time in Chapel Hill. A four-year letterman as an end for North Carolina, he was named a First Team All-American in 1948 and 1949. He led the nation with 52 receptions and 762 receiving yards in 1949. Averaging 16.3 yards per catch, he held North Carolina’s record for career receptions (106) for 36 years and its record for career touchdown catches (18) until 1997.
A two-way player for Hall of Fame coach Carl Snavely, Weiner made one of North Carolina’s most famous defensive plays by recording a game-saving tackle against Duke in 1949. Mike Souchak of Duke was lined up to kick the winning field goal on the last play of the game against the Tar Heels, but Weiner broke through, smothered the ball and saved a 21-20 North Carolina victory. He was named the most outstanding lineman at the Senior Bowl that season. He was a three-time First Team All-Southern Conference selection and was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1973. One of five Tar Heels to have his number retired by the school, he would go on to play one season for the New York Yanks in the NFL before knee surgery ended his career.
Hall of Fame coach Wally Butts (Georgia) called Weiner “the best pass catcher I ever saw.”
After his playing days, Weiner spent 25 years working at Burlington Industries, more years as president of Weiner Garmon Realty and 15 years as owner of Art Weiner Travel Agency. Weiner passed away Dec. 25, 2013 at the age of 87. He was survived by his wife, three children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
