July 28, 1999

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Seminole starting quarterback Chris Weinke has been cleared for preseason football practice by Tallahassee surgeon Charles Wingo and the Florida State medical staff.

The junior underwent spinal surgery in November after being injured in FSU's win over Virginia. X-rays taken on Monday confirmed that the two affected vertebrae had completely fused together. Weinke will wear a green "non-contact" jersey when varsity practice begins on August 7th.

The Minnesota native will enter the season-opener vs. Louisiana Tech with a streak of 218 passes without an interception. He set an FSU single-season record by averaging 17.2 yards per completion in 1998 and his nine 200-yard passing games tied the FSU single-season mark.

"I fully expected to be cleared but it's taken hard work and some long hours of rehab," said Weinke. "I was relieved to finally get the green light and am excited to get started."