Texas Tech University Athletics
"Wes Welker: A Football Life" Airs Friday on NFL Network
October 04, 2017 | Football, Double T Varsity Club
Legendary Texas Tech wide receiver Wes Welker will be profiled by NFL Films this Friday night
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech Hall of Famer and NFL legend Wes Welker will be profiled Friday night when NFL Films premiers Wes Welker: A Football Life at 8 p.m. CT on NFL Network.
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The hour-long program will feature interviews with Welker and his family along with Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury, a former teammate of Welker's, as well as Director of Football Operations Tommy McVay, who is credited with finding Welker as an overlooked player out of Oklahoma.
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The documentary highlights Welker's rise from receiving just one Division-I scholarship offer out of high school to eventually transforming the passing game at both the collegiate and NFL levels. In addition to Kingsbury and McVay, the program also showcases interviews with the likes of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Jason Garrett, Josh McDaniels and Bill O'Brien among others
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The versatile Welker became a fan favorite early in his Tech career as the Red Raiders transformed into one of the nation's premier passing programs. Welker was not just a threat for Tech's high-flying offense, though, as he took over as Tech's punt returner as just a freshman and eventually became the NCAA leader with eight punts returned for a touchdown.
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Welker recorded back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons over his final two years in scarlet and black, recording 1,054 yards and seven touchdowns in 2002 and then 1,099 yards and nine touchdowns in 2003. He ended his career as Tech's all-time leader with 3,069 receiving yards, a mark that has since been broken by current NFL wideouts Michael Crabtree and Jakeem Grant.
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Despite his success with the Red Raiders, Welker went undrafted that next spring before the San Diego Chargers signed his as a free agent. He spent training camp with the Chargers before being released following the first game of the 2004 season.
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The Miami Dolphins immediately signed Welker, a move that paid dividends for the organization as he recorded over 1,000 receiving yards over his three seasons in addition to his role as the primary kick and punt returner.
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The highlight of Welker's career likely came during his six seasons with the New England Patriots where he redefined the inside receiver position in the NFL. A five-time Pro selection, Welker caught over 100 passes five times during his time with the Patriots, which included an NFL record 123 receptions in 2009.
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Welker reached three Super Bowls during his career, twice with the Patriots and then once during his two-year stint with the Denver Broncos. Welker caught 73 passes for 778 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns during his first year in Denver in 2013 and then helped power the Manning-led offense to a Super Bowl title the following year.
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The Super Bowl ring was the first for Welker, who played the 2015 campaign for the St. Louis Rams before retiring as one of the most prolific receivers in NFL history. Over his 12 professional seasons, Welker caught an astounding 903 passes for 9,924 yards and 50 touchdowns.
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Welker was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 2016. He is currently an offensive and special teams assistant for O'Brien's staff with the Houston Texans, the first coaching position of his career.
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The hour-long program will feature interviews with Welker and his family along with Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury, a former teammate of Welker's, as well as Director of Football Operations Tommy McVay, who is credited with finding Welker as an overlooked player out of Oklahoma.
Â
The documentary highlights Welker's rise from receiving just one Division-I scholarship offer out of high school to eventually transforming the passing game at both the collegiate and NFL levels. In addition to Kingsbury and McVay, the program also showcases interviews with the likes of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Jason Garrett, Josh McDaniels and Bill O'Brien among others
Â
The versatile Welker became a fan favorite early in his Tech career as the Red Raiders transformed into one of the nation's premier passing programs. Welker was not just a threat for Tech's high-flying offense, though, as he took over as Tech's punt returner as just a freshman and eventually became the NCAA leader with eight punts returned for a touchdown.
Â
Welker recorded back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons over his final two years in scarlet and black, recording 1,054 yards and seven touchdowns in 2002 and then 1,099 yards and nine touchdowns in 2003. He ended his career as Tech's all-time leader with 3,069 receiving yards, a mark that has since been broken by current NFL wideouts Michael Crabtree and Jakeem Grant.
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Despite his success with the Red Raiders, Welker went undrafted that next spring before the San Diego Chargers signed his as a free agent. He spent training camp with the Chargers before being released following the first game of the 2004 season.
Â
The Miami Dolphins immediately signed Welker, a move that paid dividends for the organization as he recorded over 1,000 receiving yards over his three seasons in addition to his role as the primary kick and punt returner.
Â
The highlight of Welker's career likely came during his six seasons with the New England Patriots where he redefined the inside receiver position in the NFL. A five-time Pro selection, Welker caught over 100 passes five times during his time with the Patriots, which included an NFL record 123 receptions in 2009.
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Welker reached three Super Bowls during his career, twice with the Patriots and then once during his two-year stint with the Denver Broncos. Welker caught 73 passes for 778 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns during his first year in Denver in 2013 and then helped power the Manning-led offense to a Super Bowl title the following year.
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The Super Bowl ring was the first for Welker, who played the 2015 campaign for the St. Louis Rams before retiring as one of the most prolific receivers in NFL history. Over his 12 professional seasons, Welker caught an astounding 903 passes for 9,924 yards and 50 touchdowns.
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Welker was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 2016. He is currently an offensive and special teams assistant for O'Brien's staff with the Houston Texans, the first coaching position of his career.
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"People always say 'He's a lot like Welker.' There's only one Welker."
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) October 3, 2017
Set your DVR's for Friday at 8 p.m. CT, on @nflnetwork. #WreckEm https://t.co/G17Hx8HXUc
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