Wes Welker facts for kids
Welker with the New England Patriots in 2010
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| Personal information | |||||||||||
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| Born: | May 1, 1981 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 185 lb (84 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) |
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| College: | Texas Tech (2000–2003) | ||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2004 | ||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
Wesley Carter Welker (born May 1, 1981) is an American football coach and former player. He was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons. He is best known for his time with the New England Patriots.
Welker is seen as one of the best players who was never drafted by an NFL team. He holds the NFL record for the most catches by an undrafted player. He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. There, he won the Mosi Tatupu Award. He was also a first-team All-Big 12 player in his final year.
After joining the NFL in 2004, Welker played his first three seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He set a team record for kickoff return yards. He was then traded to the Patriots. With them, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl five times. He led the league in catches three times. He also set a Patriots record for catches. Welker was one of only 13 players to score a 99-yard touchdown. He later played for the Denver Broncos. He was part of the 2013 team that set an NFL record for points scored in a season. Welker finished his playing career with the St. Louis Rams. He started coaching in 2017. He returned to the Dolphins in 2021 as their wide receivers coach. The Patriots honored him by naming him to their All-2000s, All-2010s, and All-Dynasty Teams.
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Wes Welker's Early Life and High School Football
Wes Welker grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He started his football journey at Heritage Hall High School. In his junior year, he helped his team, the Chargers, win the 2A State Football championship. In that big game, Welker scored three touchdowns. He gained over 200 all-purpose yards. He also kicked a 47-yard field goal and made an interception.
During his high school career, he ran for 3,235 yards and 53 touchdowns. He also caught 174 passes for 2,551 yards and 27 touchdowns. On defense, he had 22 interceptions, including three that he returned for touchdowns. He also made 581 tackles and recovered nine fumbles. He handled kicking duties, making 165 extra points and 35 field goals. As a punt returner, he scored seven touchdowns. In 1999, he was named the All-State Player of the Year by The Daily Oklahoman. He was also Oklahoma State Player of the Year by USA Today.
After high school, many colleges thought Welker was too small to play at their level. He wasn't highly recruited. However, a player at Texas Tech backed out of his scholarship. This opened a spot for Welker. He later said he couldn't have picked a better school than Texas Tech.
College Football Days at Texas Tech
While at Texas Tech University, Welker played for the school's Red Raiders team. His last-minute signing turned out to be very good for the team. A recruiter gave him the nickname "The Natural." This was because of his amazing skills and how well he played in big games.
Freshman Season (2000)
Welker played his first college game in 2000 against Utah State. He returned a punt for eight yards in a 38–16 win. Two weeks later, he returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown. This was in a 26–0 win. On October 7, he caught his first college pass, a 37-yard catch. Later, he had five catches for 72 yards and a 42-yard rushing touchdown. He also returned a punt 66 yards for another touchdown. As a freshman, he had 26 catches for 334 yards. He also returned 17 kickoffs for 308 yards and 28 punts for 353 yards, with two punt return touchdowns.
Sophomore Season (2001)
In 2001, Welker started strong. He had four catches for 40 yards and his first college receiving touchdown. This was in a 42–30 win over New Mexico. On October 13, he had six catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns. In the next game, he returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. As a sophomore, he finished with 50 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns.
Junior Season (2002)
Welker had a great start to the 2002 season. He caught five passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. In the next game, he had nine catches for 153 yards. He also returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown against Ole Miss. On October 5, he had 10 catches for 120 yards and a touchdown. He also returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown. Against Texas, he had 14 catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns. In the Tangerine Bowl, he returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown. As a junior, he had 86 catches for 1,054 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had 57 punt returns for 752 yards and three touchdowns. He was second in the NCAA for punt return yards.
Senior Season (2003)
In 2003, Welker started with 16 catches for 183 yards in his first three games. He also had a punt return touchdown. Against Ole Miss, he had 10 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. On October 4, he had six catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. In his final college game, he had seven catches for 107 yards. As a senior, he finished with 97 catches for 1,099 yards and nine touchdowns. He also had a four-yard rushing touchdown.
Over his four years, he had 259 catches for 3,019 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also had 341 kickoff return yards and 79 rushes for 456 yards and two touchdowns. He set an NCAA record with 1,761 punt return yards. He returned eight punts for touchdowns, which is tied for second all-time in NCAA history. In 2003, Welker won the Mosi Tatupu Award. This award goes to the best special teams player in college football. He was also named to the Sports Illustrated All-Decade Team as a punt returner.
Wes Welker's NFL Career
Wes Welker was not chosen in the 2004 NFL draft. However, he signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent. He made the team but was released after the first game. The Chargers' coach later said letting Welker go was his "biggest mistake."
Miami Dolphins (2004–2006)
After leaving the Chargers, Welker signed with the Miami Dolphins. He was mostly used on special teams. On October 10, 2004, Welker made history. He became the second player ever to return a kickoff and a punt, kick an extra point and a field goal, and make a tackle in one game. For this, he was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. In the last game of 2004, he returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. He finished 2004 with 1,415 kickoff return yards and 464 punt return yards.
In 2005, Welker became the third wide receiver for the Dolphins. He ended the season with 29 catches for 434 yards. He also had 1,379 kickoff return yards and 390 punt return yards. In 2006, he led the Dolphins with 67 catches for 687 yards and one touchdown. He also returned 48 kickoffs for 1,048 yards and 41 punts for 378 yards.
New England Patriots (2007–2012)
On March 1, 2007, the Dolphins traded Welker to the New England Patriots. The Patriots gave up two draft picks to get him.
Amazing First Season (2007)
Welker's first season with the Patriots was incredible. He caught more passes, gained more yards, and scored more touchdowns than ever before. In Week 1, he caught his first touchdown with the Patriots. This was as many as he had in three seasons with the Dolphins. He set new career highs for yards three times in 2007. In Week 6, he had 11 catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns. The next week, he had nine catches for 138 yards and two more touchdowns. In Week 12, he caught 13 passes for 149 yards.
In Week 15, Welker reached 1,000 receiving yards for the first time. In Week 16, he tied the Patriots' record for catches in a season with 101. In Week 17, he caught 11 more passes, setting a new Patriots record with 112 catches. He also tied for the most catches in the NFL that year. Welker finished the season with 1,175 yards and eight touchdowns. He was chosen for the AP All-Pro Second Team. In Super Bowl XLII, he tied a Super Bowl record with 11 catches. However, the Patriots lost to the New York Giants.
Continued Success (2008)
Even though quarterback Tom Brady was injured in Week 1, Welker kept catching many passes. He had 56 catches in the first eight games. He broke a record by having six or more catches in the first 11 games. Welker gained over 1,000 yards for the second year in a row. He became the first Patriots player to have two straight seasons with 100 catches. He finished the season leading the league with 96 catches for 1,002 yards. He was chosen for the 2009 Pro Bowl.
Record-Breaking Catches (2009)
Welker started 2009 with 12 catches for 93 yards. He missed two games due to a knee injury. In Week 6, he caught 10 passes for a career-high 150 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 11, he caught 15 passes for 192 yards. This was the most catches by any player in 2009 at that time. In Week 13, he reached 1,000 yards for the third year in a row. He became the fourth receiver in NFL history to catch 100 passes in three straight seasons. In Week 16, he caught 13 passes. This gave him the record for most games with 10+ catches in a single season (seven). Sadly, in Week 17, he tore ligaments in his knee. This injury kept him out of the playoffs.
Welker finished the season leading the league with 123 catches. This was the second-highest total in NFL history. He was also named to the All-Pro First Team for the first time.
Return from Injury (2010)
Many thought Welker might miss the 2010 season due to his knee injury. But he worked hard and played in Week 1. He led the Patriots with eight catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 9, he even kicked an extra point after the team's regular kicker was injured. He finished the 2010 season with 86 catches for 848 yards and seven touchdowns. He was chosen for the 2011 Pro Bowl.
Another Amazing Year (2011)
In Week 1 of 2011, Welker caught a 99-yard pass from Tom Brady. This tied the NFL record for the longest play from scrimmage. He had eight catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns in that game. In Week 3, Welker had a career-high 16 catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns. He broke the Patriots' record for receiving yards in a game. He also broke the team record for most consecutive games with a catch.
In Week 14, Welker made his 100th catch of the season. This gave him four seasons with at least 100 catches. This tied an NFL record. In Week 16, he set a new Patriots record with 1,518 receiving yards in a season. He finished the season with 122 catches (tied for fourth-highest in NFL history) and 1,569 receiving yards. He also had a career-high nine touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro First Team. The Patriots reached Super Bowl XLVI but lost to the New York Giants again. Welker had seven catches for 60 yards in the game.
Final Patriots Season (2012)
In Week 1 of 2012, Welker tied the Patriots' record for career catches. A week later, he broke it. In Week 13, he set an NFL record for the most games with 10 or more catches (17 games). He also set the NFL record for most games with 10+ catches and 100+ yards. He finished the 2012 season with 118 catches for 1,354 yards and six touchdowns. He earned his fifth Pro Bowl nomination. In his final game as a Patriot, he had eight catches for 117 yards and a touchdown in a playoff loss.
After joining the Patriots, Welker caught more passes than any other player in the league from 2007 to 2012. He reached 500 catches with the Patriots in just 70 games, an NFL record. He holds the Patriots' record for career catches (672). He played in two Super Bowls with New England but lost both times to the New York Giants.
Denver Broncos (2013–2014)
On March 13, 2013, Welker signed a two-year contract with the Denver Broncos. He joined the Broncos because he and the Patriots could not agree on a new contract.
First Season with Broncos (2013)
In his first game with the Broncos, Welker had nine catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns. This was in a 49–27 win. His two touchdowns were part of a record seven thrown by quarterback Peyton Manning in that game. By Week 11, Welker had more touchdowns than he had in any full season with the Patriots. He caught a touchdown pass in eight of his first ten games.
In Week 14, Welker suffered a hit to the head. He had also had a concussion in Week 11. He did not play for the rest of the regular season. Welker was part of the Broncos' amazing offense. Five players on the team scored at least ten touchdowns that season. Welker returned for the playoffs. He had six catches for 38 yards and a touchdown in a win against the Chargers. The Broncos reached Super Bowl XLVIII but lost to the Seattle Seahawks. Welker had eight catches for 84 yards in the loss.
Second Season with Broncos (2014)
In a preseason game in 2014, Welker had another concussion. This was his third in ten months. He was suspended for the first four games of the season, but the suspension was lifted. Welker played his first game in Week 3. In Week 5, he passed Rod Smith for the most catches by an undrafted player in NFL history. In Week 7, he caught his first touchdown of the season. This was Peyton Manning's 508th career touchdown pass, tying an NFL record. He finished the 2014 season with 49 catches for 464 yards and two touchdowns. He did not re-sign with the Broncos.
St. Louis Rams (2015)
On November 9, 2015, the St. Louis Rams signed Welker. He played in eight games and had 13 catches for 102 yards. The 2015 season was Welker's last as an NFL player. He officially retired in 2017.
Wes Welker's NFL Records
- Most seasons with 105+ catches: 5
- Most seasons with 110+ catches: 5
- Most seasons with 115+ catches: 3
- Most seasons with 120+ catches: 2 (tied with others)
- Most consecutive seasons with 110 catches: 3 (tied with Antonio Brown)
- Most games with 12+ catches: 9
- Most games with 13+ catches: 5 (tied with Antonio Brown)
- Most games with 15+ catches: 2 (tied with others)
- Most games with 10+ catches in a season: 7 (tied with Andre Johnson)
- Fastest receiver to have 500 catches with one team (New England Patriots): 70 games
- Longest touchdown catch: 99 yards (tied with 12 others)
- Most catches by any undrafted free agent in NFL history: 903
- Most career punt returns without a touchdown: 264
- Most career punt return yards without a touchdown: 2,584
Dolphins Team Records
- Most career kick return yards: 3,756
- Most career combined Kick and Punt return yards: 4,988
- Most all-purpose yards in a single season: 2,208 (2005)
- Most punt return yards in a single season: 464 (2004)
Patriots Team Records
- Most career receptions: 672
- Most receptions in a single season: 123 (2009)
- Most receiving yards in a single season: 1,569 (2011)
- Most seasons with 100 receptions or more: 5
- Best receiving yards per game average (season): 98.1 (2011)
Coaching Career
Houston Texans (2017–2018)
On January 30, 2017, Welker started his coaching career. He was hired by the Houston Texans as an offensive assistant and special teams assistant coach.
San Francisco 49ers (2019–2021)
On February 27, 2019, Welker became the wide receivers coach for the San Francisco 49ers.
Miami Dolphins (2022–2024)
On February 18, 2022, Welker returned to the Miami Dolphins. He became their wide receivers coach. He was fired by the Dolphins on January 10, 2025.
Personal Life
Wes Welker was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is a Christian. He is also a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. His grandmother lives in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, which is within the Cherokee Nation's area.
While at Texas Tech University, Welker was part of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He earned a degree in Management in 2003.
In 2007, Welker started the 83 Foundation, named after his jersey number. It was later renamed the Wes Welker Foundation in 2009. The foundation helps young people by encouraging them through sports and positive role models. It mostly helps schools and groups in Oklahoma City.
In 2012, Welker married Anna Burns. They have three children. Welker owns a racehorse named Undrafted. This horse won a big race in 2014 and another important race in 2015.
Images for kids
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Welker with the New England Patriots in 2010
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Welker (right) being interviewed after the final game of the undefeated 2007 Patriots regular season
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Welker with the Broncos in 2013
