NFL Rookie Born with 6 Fully-Functioning Fingers on One Hand ‘Always Knew’ He Was ‘Special.’ Now, He’s Living His ‘Dream’ (Exclusive)

J.J. Weaver knew he was unique from the day he was born.

His passion for football took shape at age four, having grown up in a family that played the sport and inspired him to do the same. Playing in the NFL is a farfetched dream for many — but the newly-signed rookie starting his career with the Carolina Panthers “most definitely” knew it was possible.

Beyond his athletic talent and and the respect he earns through his determination and character, Weaver, 25, was born with a rare distinction: six fully-functioning fingers on one hand.

Today, he embraces it as a “gift” and an empowering part of his story.

“I have an extra pinky on my right hand,” Weaver tells PEOPLE of his congenital condition known as polydactyly, the medical term for having extra fingers or toes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

“My granny always knew I was going to be special, different than a lot of people because of my right hand,” the outside linebacker continues. “It was just unique. A ‘God gift,’ we called it. God blessed me another gift.”

Weaver, a Florida native, grew up in Fort Lauderdale before relocating to Louisville, Ky. prior to starting high school. The son of Stacey Sherrell and the late Terrance Weaver says he didn’t always have the grateful perspective on his hand that he has now.

“I wasn’t happy about myself,” he shares transparently, looking back. “I got really picked on because I was different.”

Over the years, the Kentucky Wildcats star has learned to flip his outlook — and today, he views it as something that makes him uniquely himself.

“That’s one of my stories,” he says, proudly, noting how his extra finger hasn’t affected him as an athlete — rather, his “love for football” and his “personality” laid the foundation for the success he’s had in his athletic career to date.

He adds, “I’m just a lovable person, caring person. You get the whole package of me, for sure.”

Now, Weaver makes it part of his mission to instill self-confidence in kids.

“I just love going back to schools, talk to the kids,” he shares. “I know when I was around that age, I was bullied and didn’t like myself, I just wanted to make sure to talk to the kids [and say], ‘Look, this is possible. It’s okay to be different. Everyone is different, I understand how you guys feel.’ ”

“I’m still a kid myself!” the rookie adds.

Nike, too, caught wind of Weaver’s story and collaborated with the athlete to customize a six-finger glove. The sports brand designed a Nike Vapor Jet 6, adding an extra finger next to the pinky for Weaver to wear while playing.

“I ended up getting in contact with Nike and Nike ended up helping me with customizing my own six-fingered glove,” he shares, noting that the company’s gesture transformed into another idea for him to pay it forward.

While chatting with his mom one day, Weaver says he realized, “Man, we need a new name, a new foundation name,” sharing that “helping others” has always been at the core of his mission, so he started a non-profit as a result.

The night that the football player got hold of the Nike glove for the first time, he tried it on and instantly thought, “This is a perfect fit.”

Weaver’s revelation inspired The Perfect Fit Club, the name of the foundation he backs today.

“The purpose of The Perfect Fit is to spread awareness and allow kids across the world to feel comfortable in their own skin,” reads the mission on the organization’s website.

In addition, Weaver’s foundation works to help youth manage grief, raise awareness for mental health, work to prevent violence in communities and foster coping mechanisms for conflict, the website states.

As he makes his professional transition into the NFL, Weaver — who says he strives to be “a great rookie” and “leader on and off the field” as a Carolina Panther — praises his mom, Stacey, for helping shape the person he is today.

“That is my best friend. She’s my rock. I lost my father. My mom, she stepped up. She’s always been an amazing mother,” he tells PEOPLE.

“She really cares and loves me and my family,” he continues. “She’s going to protect us… Man, I love my mom. She taught me so much.”

While reflecting on own childhood and how far he’s come in his life both personally and professionally, Weaver has a few words for his younger self.

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“‘Man, don’t give up. Keep being you. Be aspiring to others, be different,’ ” he says.

As for what he’d tell other children who feel as if they are different or don’t belong like he once did, he says, “Keep going.”

“What’s different about you, like me in my hand, just express yourself,” concludes Weaver, emphasizing, “It’s okay to be different. It’s okay to love yourself.”