Wes Welker life and biography

Wes Welker was acquired by the Patriots from the Miami Dolphins on March 5, 2007 in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2007 NFL Draft and a seventh-round selection in the 2007 NFL Draft ... Originally signed as a rookie free agent by the San Diego Chargers in the spring of 2004 ... Waived by the Chargers (9/15/04) ... Signed by the Miami Dolphins (9/21/04).

Career Highlights

* Since joining the Patriots prior to the 2007 season, Welker leads the NFL with a total of 346 receptions (112 in 2007, 111 in 2008 and 123 in 2009) and leads the NFL with 7.5 receptions per game.
* Welker owns the top three single-season reception totals in Patriots history, with a team-record 123 in 2009, 112 catches in 2007 and 111 in 2008.
* Welker's 123 receptions in 2009 match Herman Moore (Detroit in 1995) for the second most receptions in a single season in NFL history, behind Marvin Harrison's NFL record of 143 receptions in 2002.
* Welker tied an NFL record in 2009 with seven 10-plus reception games. Andre Johnson of Houston had seven 10-plus receptions games in 2008.
* Welker (123 in 2009, 112 in 2007 and 111 in 2008) joins Marvin Harrison (4), Jerry Rice (3), Herman Moore (3) and Brandon Marshall (3) as the only players to catch 100 passes in three consecutive seasons.
* Welker (1,348 in 2009, 1,175 in 2007 and 1,165 in 2008) joined teammate Randy Moss to become the first Patriots players to have three straight 1,000-yard seasons. It is only the sixth time in NFL history a team has had two players go three straight seasons with 1,000 yards.
* Welker earned Pro Bowl honors following the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
* Welker set an NFL record by catching at least six passes in each of the first 11 games of the 2008 season. The previous record for most games with at least six receptions to begin a season was eight, achieved by Jacksonville's Jimmy Smith in 2001.
* Welker set an NFL record in 2007 by recording the most receptions by a player in his first season with a new team (rookie or veteran), totaling 112 catches.
* Welker caught 11 passes for 103 yards in Super Bowl XLII, tying the Super Bowl record for most receptions in a game. His 11 grabs equals the totals of Deion Branch (2004), Jerry Rice (1988) and Dan Ross (1981).
* Welker joined the Patriots in 2007 after playing in 47 career games with three starts for the San Diego Chargers (one game in 2004) and Miami Dolphins (2004-06).
* In a game against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 10, 2004, a pregame injury to Dolphins kicker Olindo Mare pressed Welker into service as Miami's kicker. He converted both of his kicking opportunities (a field goal and an extra point) to become the first player in NFL history to record a punt return, a kickoff return, a field goal, an extra point and a kickoff in the same game. Welker earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his efforts.
* After not recording a catch as a rookie, Welker emerged as a receiving threat in 2005, grabbing 29 passes for 434 yards and playing in all 16 games with one start. He once again led the Dolphins in punt returns (43 returns for 390 yards) and kickoff returns (61 returns for 1,379 yards).

2010 (9/7)
* Led the team with a season-high 89 yards on eight receptions against the Steelers (11/14), extending his streak to 72 straight regular-season games with at least one reception.
* Caught four passes for 36 yards and had two fair catches as a punt returner. Filled in for injured kicker Stephen Gostkowski in the second half, successfully kicking one extra point and one kickoff against the Browns (11/7).
* Made three catches for 24 yards against the Vikings and had two fair catches as a punt returner (10/31).
* Tallied four passes for 25 yards against the Chargers (10/24).
* Caught seven balls for 53 yards against Baltimore, including a 21-yard pass from Tom Brady (10/17). Also returned three punts for 27 yards, including a 22-yard return with less than a minute remaining in regulation.
* Led the team with 70 receiving yards on eight catches against the Dolphins (10/4).
* Finished with four catches for 45 yards against the Bills (9/26).
* Scored one touchdown on a six-yard pass from Tom Brady, his third touchdown in his first 11 receptions (9/12).
* Recorded a career high-tying two touchdowns in the season opener against the Bengals (9/12), his first game back after offseason knee surgery. Also led the team with eight receptions for 64 yards.

2009 (14/13, 0/0)
* Played in 14 games with 13 starts and finished with a career-high 123 receptions for a career-high 1,348 yards with four touchdowns.
* Also returned 27 punts for 338 yards for a 12.5 yard average with a long return of 69 yards. His 12.5-yard average was first in the AFC and second in the NFL to DeSean Jackson (15.2).
* Had five rushing attempts for 36 yards.
* Named Associated Press First-Team All-Pro.
* Earned his second Pro Bowl berth.
* His 123 receptions were tops in the league in 2009 and stand as the second highest single-season total in NFL history. Welker accomplished the feat despite missing two complete games earlier in the year and most of the season-finale due to injury.
* His 1,348 receiving yards finished second in the NFL to Houston's Andre Johnson (1,569) and third most in Patriots history.
* Averaged 8.8 receptions per game, the second highest average in NFL history to the 8.9 average set by Marvin Harrison in 2002.
* Registered his third straight season with at least 100 receptions (123) and 1,000 receiving yards (1,348) while setting a career high in receiving yards. Only four other NFL players have had three consecutive seasons of at least 100 receptions and 1,000 yards receiving: Marvin Harrison (4, 1999-02), Brandon Marshall (3, 2007-09), Herman Moore (3, 1995-97) and Jerry Rice (3, 1994-96).
* Owns the Patriots' three highest single-season reception totals with 123 in 2009, 112 in 2007 and 111 in 2008.
* Joins Marvin Harrison (4), Jerry Rice (3) Herman Moore (3) and Brandon Marshall (3) as the only NFL players to catch 100 passes in three consecutive seasons.
* Reached 100 receptions in his 11th game of the season to tie Marvin Harrison for the fewest individual games played to reach 100 receptions in a season in NFL history.
* Finished with 10 receptions in a game seven times to tie the NFL record for most 10-plus reception games in a single season, matching Houston's Andre Johnson who had seven in 2008.
* Welker and Randy Moss each hauled in 12 catches for the Patriots in the first meeting in 2009 against Buffalo, with each player tying the team's fifth-highest single-game reception total. It is the first time in team history that two players have had at least 12 catches each in the same game.
* He and Moss became the first Patriots to have back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2008 and have now stretched that to three straight 1,000 yard seasons and are just the sixth tandem to accomplish the feat for three straight seasons.
* Set a franchise record for receptions in a non-overtime game while also establishing single-game career-highs in receptions (15) and receiving yards (192) in the Patriots' 31-14 win vs. the N.Y. Jets (11/22).
* Led the team in receptions seven times and tied for the team lead twice.
* Had a career-high six 100-yard games in 2009 - 150 vs. Tennessee (10/18), 107 at Tampa Bay (10/25), 192 vs. N.Y. Jets (11/22), 167 at Miami (12/6), 105 vs. Carolina (12/13) and 138 vs. Jacksonville (12/27).
* Had six or more receptions in a game in 12 of the 13 games he played, including seven games with 10 or more receptions.
* After catching 12 passes for 93 yards in the season-opener vs. Buffalo (9/14), missed the next two games at the N.Y. Jets (9/20) and vs. Atlanta (9/27) due to injury.
* Tied a single-game career high with two touchdown receptions in the Patriots' 59-0 victory vs. Tennessee (10/18). Caught 10 passes for 150 yards against the Titans.
* Had a 69-yard punt return in the third quarter at Indianapolis (11/15), his longest punt return as a member of the Patriots.
* Hauled in a season-long pass of 58 yards at Miami (12/6) and caught 10 passes for 167 yards to go over the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the third straight season.
* Tallied 13 receptions for 138 yards in the Patriots' 35-7 AFC East clinching victory vs. Jacksonville (12/27).
* Started at wide receiver at Houston (1/3) and made one reception for 12 yards before leaving the game with a knee injury. Was placed on injured reserve on Jan. 6 and missed the postseason game vs. Baltimore (1/10).

2008 (16/14)
* Finished ranked second in the NFL behind Houston's Andre Johnson with 111 catches in 2008.
* Selected to his first career Pro Bowl in 2008.
* Named to the Associated Press All-Pro Second Team.
* Selected for the SI.com All-Pro Team and the NBCSports.com All-NFL Team and named Patriots Team MVP by USA Today.
* Recorded the second highest single-season catch total in Patriots history, trailing only his 112-catch performance in 2007, and turning in just the third 100-reception season in team history.
* Recorded 1,165 receiving yards, a total that ranks fifth on the Patriots' all-time list.
* Joined Randy Moss in becoming the first players in Patriots history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
* With his nine-catch performance against Buffalo (11/9), became the first player in NFL history to have six or more receptions in each of the first nine games of a season, topping Jimmy Smith's NFL record of eight set in 2001.
* Became just the eighth player in NFL history to notch back-to-back 100-catch seasons.
* Led the team with 24 punt returns and 237 punt return yards.
* Led the team in receptions (7) and receiving yards (72) at the N.Y. Jets (9/14).
* Led the team in receptions with eight catches for 73 yards at San Francisco (10/5).
* Had his fifth straight game to open the season with six or more receptions, grabbing nine catches for 73 yards at San Diego (10/12).
* Hauled in his first receiving touchdown of the season while tallying 63 receiving yards against Denver (10/20).
* Became just the second player in NFL history to have six or more receptions in each of the first eight games of a season, making seven catches for 37 yards at Indianapolis (11/2).
* Set an NFL record with his ninth straight game with six or more receptions to start a season with a season-high nine-catches, 107-yard performance against Buffalo (11/9).
* Tallied seven receptions for 108 yards, extending his NFL record for most consecutive games with six or more receptions to begin a season, against the N.Y. Jets (11/13).
* Tallied his third straight 100-yard receiving performance with eight rec-eptions for 120 yards while extending his NFL record-setting streak to 11 straight games with six receptions or more to start a season at Miami (11/23).
* Registered season highs with 12 receptions for 134 receiving yards at Seattle (12/7).
* Became just the eighth player in NFL history to notch back-to-back 100-catch seasons with his 13-yard touchdown reception at Oakland (12/14).
* Led the team in receiving with 7 catches for 68 yards, including his second touchdown catch in as many weeks against Arizona (12/21).

2007 (16/13, 3/3)
* Set the Patriots' single-season receptions record, passing Troy Brown's mark of 101 receptions in 2001 and finishing with a total of 112 receptions in 2007, nearly doubling his previous career-high total of 67 receptions for a season.
* Became just the fourth Patriot to record a 90-plus reception season, joining Troy Brown, Ben Coates and Terry Glenn.
* Recorded the first 1,000-yard receiving season of his career.
* Recipient of the 2007 Patriots 12th Player Award.
* Named to the Associated Press All-Pro second team.
* Established season career highs in receptions (112), receiving yards (1,175) and touchdowns (8).
* Tied the then Patriots' single-game record for receptions in a non-overtime game with his 13 receptions against the Phila-delphia Eagles (11/25).
* Tied a single-game career high with two touch down receptions in the Patriots' victory over the Miami Dolphins (10/21).
* Grabbed career highs in receptions with 13 and receiving yards with 149 in the Patriots' 31-28 victory over the Philad-elphia Eagles on (11/25).
* Scam-pered into the end zone from 11 yards out for his first touchdown in a Patriots uniform at the N.Y. Jets (9/9).
* Tied for the team high in receptions with eight, while tearing up 91 receiving yards vs. San Diego (9/16).
* Tallied a team-high six receptions for 69 yards in the Patriots' victory over the Buffalo Bills (9/23).
* Returned three punts for a season-high 72 against the Bills.
* Started at wide receiver and made four catches while returning two kickoffs and two punts in a win over Cleveland (10/7).
* Led the team and set then career highs in receptions (11) and touchdown receptions (2) while tallying his first 100-yard receiving game at Dallas (10/15).
* Tallied a then single-game career high with 138 receiving yards and tied a single-game career best with two touchdown receptions at Miami (10/21).
* Grabbed then single-game career highs in receptions with 13 and receiving yards with 149 in the Patriots' comeback win over Philadelphia (11/25).
* Led the team with a nine-reception performance for 78 yards and a touchdown against Pittsburgh (12/9).
* Moved past the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career on a 16-yard reception while making three catches versus the N.Y. Jets (12/16).
* Tied the Patriots' single-season receptions record, matching Troy Brown's record of 101 receptions in a five-catch, 49-yard performance against Miami (12/23).
* Led the team in receptions (11) and receiving yards (122) while breaking the Patriots' single-season receptions record at the N.Y. Giants (12/29).
* Led the team with nine receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown in the divisional playoff game vs. Jacksonville (1/12).
* Scored his second postseason touchdown catch in as many games on a 6-yard scoring strike in the Patriots' victory over San Diego in the AFC Championship Game (1/20).
* Tied Dan Ross, Jerry Rice and former Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch for the Super Bowl record for receptions with 11 catches for 103 yards in Super Bowl XLII (2/3).

2006 (16/2 - Miami)
* Led the Dolphins with a then career-high 67 receptions and placed second on the team with a then career-best 687 receiving yards while also leading the team in kickoff returns and punt returns.
* Had 41 punt returns for 378 yards, an average of 9.2 yards per return, including a long return of 47 yards, and 48 kickoff returns for 1,064 yards, an average of 22.2 yards per return.
* Ranked eighth in the AFC in punt returns.
* Had five catches for 41 yards against Buffalo (9/17) and recorded his 124th career kickoff return, breaking the Dolphins team record of 123 kickoff returns, previously held by Fulton Walker.
* Tallied four catches for 55 yards against Houston (10/1) and added two kickoff returns for 53 yards, breaking the team record of 2,947 kickoff return yards, previously held by Mercury Morris.
* Led the Dolphins in receptions with a then career-high nine catches for 77 yards against New England (10/8).
* Had two catches for 14 yards, including his first career touchdown catch against Chicago (11/5).

2005 (16/1 - Miami)
* Saw action in all 16 games, including one start, making 29 catches for 434 yards.
* His reception total ranked fifth on the team while yardage figure was fourth.
* Also returned 43 punts for a 9.1-yard average and 61 kickoffs for a 22.6-yard average.
* Punt return average was sixth in the AFC and 11th in the NFL.
* Of his 29 catches on the year, 12 came on third down while two more occurred on fourth down.
* Of his 29 catches, 20 were good for a first down.
* Finished with a season-high four receptions and 60 yards against Denver (9/11).
* Had three receptions for a then career-high 97 yards against Tampa Bay (10/16), including a long of 41.
* Returned a season-high seven kickoffs, tying a Dolphins' single-game record, for 162 yards against Kansas City (10/21).
* Recorded the first start of his NFL career vs. Oakland (11/27) and caught one pass for 16 yards and also fielded five kickoffs for a 28.2-yard average, including a long of 41 yards.

2004 (14/0 - Miami, 1/0 - San Diego)
* Played in a total of 15 games as a rookie.
* Waived by the Chargers (9/15) and signed with the Dolphins as a free agent (9/21).
* For the season, returned 61 kickoffs for a 23.2-yard average, including a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
* Fielded 43 punts for a 10.8-yard average, all with the Dolphins.
* His punt return average (10.8) ranked second in the AFC, trailing only Cleveland's Dennis Northcutt (12.0).
* Served as an emergency kicker against the Patriots (10/10) and was 1-for-1 on field goals and 1-for-1 on PATs.
* In his only game with the Chargers, returned four kickoffs for 102 yards against Houston (9/12).
* Made his Dolphins debut against Pittsburgh (9/26) and returned three kickoffs for a 22.0-yard average along with two punts for 20 yards.
* Was pressed into service as an emergency kicker when Olindo Mare injured his calf in pre-game warm ups against New England (10/10) and was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts.
* Converted his only field goal attempt - from 29 yards - and his only PAT against the Patriots while also handling kickoff duties.
* Became the first player in NFL history to have a kickoff return, a punt return, a field goal, a successful PAT and kickoff in the same game.
* Fielded two punts for a 43.5-yard average, including a season-long return of 71 yards, on Monday Night Football against New England (12/20).
* Returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown against Baltimore (1/2), becoming the first Dolphin to achieve the feat since October 1, 1989.

College
* Welker was a four-year letterman at Texas Tech (2000-03) and appeared in a total of 50 games.
* Finished his career with 259 receptions for 3,069 yards and 21 touchdowns, 559 yards rushing and a touchdown on 79 attempts and 152 punts returns for 1,761 yards, an 11.6-yard average, and eight touchdowns.
* Left school as the NCAA career record-holder for punt return yards (1,761), as well as the single-season holder for returns (57 in 2002).
* Finished as the NCAA all-time leader for punt return touchdowns (8). The record was later tied by Oklahoma's Antonio Perkins in 2004.
* His reception and receiving yardage totals are both school career records.
* Was a three-time All-Big 12 Conference first-team choice (2000, 2002-03).

Personal

* Wesley Welker was born the son of Leland and Shelley Welker on May 1, 1981 in Oklahoma City, Okla.
* Attended Heritage Hall High School in Oklahoma City, where he played both running back and defensive back.
* Was named the Oklahoma Player of the Year as a senior by numerous media outlets.
* In his career, rushed for 3,235 yards and 53 touchdowns on 495 attempts, while catching 174 passes for 2,551 yards and 27 scores.
* Scored a total of 90 touchdowns in his prep career.
* For his extensive work in the community, Wes was named the winner of the Dolphins' 2005 Nat Moore Community Service Award.
* Established the "83 Foundation" to provide underprivileged children in his hometown of Oklahoma City the opportunity to play football.
* Graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in management.

Honors and Awards

2009 : AFC Pro Bowl ; Associated Press All-Pro: First Team ; Pro Football Weekly/PFWA: All-NFL ; Sports Illustrated All-Pro Team ; USA Footbal/NFLPA's All Fundamental Team
2008 : AFC Pro Bowl ; Associated Press All-Pro: Second Team ; SI.com All-Pro Team ; NBCSports.com All-NFL Team ; Pro Football Weekly/PFWA All-AFC Team ; USA Today Patriots Team MVP ; Pop Warner Inspiration to Youth Award
2007 : Associated Press All-Pro: Second Team ; ESPN.com All-Pro Team ; Dr. Z's SI.com All-Pro Team ; Patriots 12th Player Award
2004 : AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Wk.5)

Extra
* Wes has established the "83 Foundation" to provide underprivileged children in his hometown of Oklahoma City the opportunity to play football.
* Texas Tech was the only Division I school to offer Wes a scholarship, and then only after another player had backed out of his commitment, but Wes went on to become one of the best athletes in Texas Tech history, breaking receiving and returning records and earning the nickname "The Natural."
* In 2004, Wes became the first player in NFL history to return a punt, return a kick, kick a field goal, kick an extra point and return a kickoff in the same game. He accomplished the feat against the Patriots.
* As part of the Wes Welker Foundation, Wes holds football camps in Massachusettes and Oklahoma designed to help kids build character and leadership skills as well as interact with positive role models.

NFL Leader

* Welker led the NFL with 123 receptions in 2009, despite missing two games due to injury and part of the season-finale due to an injury. He averaged 8.8 receptions in the 14 games he played. The 123 receptions are a Patriots record and match Herman Moore (Detroit in 1995) for the second most receptions in a single season in NFL history, behind Marvin Harrison's NFL record of 143 receptions in 2002. Welker's 8.8 catches per game in 2009 rank second in NFL history to the 8.9 average set by Harrison in 2002.
* Welker has had six or more receptions in 26 of his last 30 regular-season games. He has 18 games with nine or more catches since joining the Patriots. His 18 games with nine or more catches are the most in Patriots history.
* Wes Welker (1,175 in 2007 and 1,165 in 2008) joined Randy Moss to become the first Patriots players with back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons and stretched that to three straight seasons after breaking the 1,000-yard mark at Miami (12/6/09). Welker had a career-high in receiving yards with 1,348 in 2009. It is the third highest in team history. Welker has three of the top eight receiving yardage seasons in team history.

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