By Gavin Priest and Jack Footer, Cronkite PR Lab
Thomas Weber never expected his football career to lead him to Arizona State, let alone into the Sun Devil Hall of Fame.
That's because his collegiate career began with a major setback. In his senior year of high school, Weber broke his leg, forcing him to start school in January rather than in August after graduation.
After recovering, Weber began his collegiate career with the Michigan State Spartans. Unfortunately, Weber would soon face another setback, getting cut from the program. However, the opportunity that followed led him straight into a historic season, national awards, and, eventually, a place alongside the greatest athletes in Sun Devil history.
Arizona State was already on Weber’s radar when he looked for a new option because of his friendship with former Sun Devil kicker Jesse Ainsworth. As Ainsworth entered his senior season, the coaching staff began looking for another kicker, and Weber used his connection to help secure a preferred walk-on spot that year.
“It just honestly worked out. I’ve always looked up to Jesse and thought he was awesome,” Weber said. “The fact that I got the opportunity to go to ASU was something I never thought was going to happen, but I was very fortunate that it did.”
Thomas Weber receives his honorary plaque during the Sun Devil Football game vs. Hawai'i at Mountain America Stadium, announcing his induction into the Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 10, 2026.
That same opportunity soon led to one of Sun Devil Football’s most memorable seasons.
In 2007, Weber became the first Sun Devil and the first freshman to win the Lou Groza Award, presented to the country’s top kicker in the FBS each year. Weber also earned a spot on the Associated Press First Team All-American list.
To Weber, these awards and accomplishments represent more than his individual success. They represent the hard work, setbacks, and help from his teammates who made these achievements possible.
“It’s something amazing when I think about it, and the year and season we had as a team,” Weber said. “There’s a lot of ups and a lot of downs that go into that. That’s what I remember. How hard it was to get there, and the things you go through to make it. It’s more humbling than anything, and that comes from a lot of hard work.”
Throughout Weber’s career, he had many memorable moments, but one came during his senior year in the Territorial Cup game against the University of Arizona.
“My favorite memory was my last game at U of A,’ Weber said. “Our team had an up-and-down season, and so did I. Being able to pull off a victory and go out with a bang in double overtime, and getting to enjoy and share the moment with my parents and teammates made it an extremely memorable game.”
Looking back, Weber’s strongest memories are less about individual games or kicks. He remembers the friendships he made the most.
“It’s hard to remember specific details, just because it all lumps together,” Weber said. “You remember the team, the practices, the hard times, and the seasons as a whole. But mainly you just remember the guys you play with and the friends and relationships you make.”
After his career with the Sun Devils, Weber went to the NFL and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011. Unfortunately for Weber, 2011 was an NFL lockout year, and he had to train without the resources that are normally available to NFL players. With only one spot on an NFL roster for a kicker and other athletes competing for it, Weber acknowledged that his time in Cincinnati was challenging.
“You learn how to be a competitor and also how to be a good teammate at the same time, because you’re both. You’re both human, and you’re both trying to make a living.”
This year's induction into the Sun Devil Hall of Fame gives Weber a chance to celebrate his exceptional collegiate athletic career with past teammates and family. He noted that he is especially excited to celebrate with his wife, who played soccer for the Sun Devils, and their three sons. While Weber is undoubtedly excited about his achievement, he feels mostly gratitude and humility.
“It’s very humbling. It’s hard to put into words,” Weber said. “It’s gratifying, but I also understand that there are so many incredible teammates that I had, who I know are deserving of it, but I’m very happy to represent and be a part of that group.”
Weber uses the lessons he learned during his Hall of Fame career to help advise his children in their own lives, struggles and careers. He reflected on his younger self and what advice he would give himself.
“It’s something that I tell my kids all the time, to just compete and not worry about failure so much,” Weber said. “I feel like when I first started at ASU, and a lot of the time during my career, I was so worried about making a mistake, or about failing, that I forgot to just compete and do my best.”