FOOTBALL
Wes Welker started his football career at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City. In his junior year, he helped lead his team to the 2A State Championship over Tishomingo High School scoring three touchdowns, amassing over 200 all-purpose yards, kicking a 47-yard field goal, and making an interception. Also, in 1999 he was named The Daily Oklahoman's All-State Player of the Year and Oklahoma State Player of the Year by USA Today.

Wes was a prolific contributor on offense, defense, and special teams at Heritage Hall. As a running back, he scored 80 career touchdowns (53 rushing and 27 receiving). As a defensive back, he had 190 tackles, 22 interceptions (three of which he returned for touchdowns), and nine fumble recoveries. As a punt returner, he scored seven touchdowns. As a kicker, he kicked 35 field goals and 165 extra points. His longest field goal was 58 yards.

Welker played in the 2000 Oil Bowl, scoring a 40-yard field goal for the Oklahoma team. Out of high school, Wes was not recruited heavily, as he was considered to be too small to play at the college level. However, after a recruit at Texas Tech backed out of his scholarship, it was offered to Welker.

Based on a highlight reel from high school, Welker earned the nickname "The Natural," given to him by his recruiter, and then running backs coach at Texas Tech, Art Briles. Over his four-year career as a Red Raider, he recorded 259 receptions for 3,019 yards and 21 touchdowns, while rushing 79 times for 456 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored eight touchdowns returning punts, which ties him for an NCAA career record (with Oklahoma's Antonio Perkins 2001-2004).

In 2003, Wes won the Mosi Tatupu Award, given annually to the best special teams player in college football. Welker was also named to the Sports Illustrated All-Decade Team as a punt returner. After his senior season at Texas Tech, Welker was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and ultimately signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers.

After being waived by the Chargers, Welker signed with the Miami Dolphins where he would make an impact as a special teams player and receiver. Wes has the distinction of being the second player in NFL history to record a kick return, punt return, extra point, and tackle in a single game.

In 2007, Welker was traded to the New England Patriots and his career took off. He eclipsed the 1,000 yard receiving mark for the first time, in his first season with the Patriots, and tied a Super Bowl record with 11 receptions in the teams 17-14 loss to the Giants. Wes became the first player in Patriots history, and the eighth in NFL history, to have back-to-back 100-reception seasons. In 2009, Welker led the league with 123 receptions, which ranks 5th in NFL history at the time of this publication. In 2011, he almost surpassed that mark with 122 receptions, the fourth 100-reception season of his career (joined only by Marvin Harrison and Jerry Rice). Welker played in the 2012 Super Bowl with the Patriots, but the team lost 21-17, again to the Giants.

In 2013, Wes signed as a free agent to play with the Peyton Manning led Denver Broncos. Welker had another excellent season, snagging 73 passes for 778 yards and 10 touchdowns, but missed several games due to concussion and the Broncos were unable to beat the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. During the 2014 preseason, Welker sustained another concussion and only played in 14 games, posting modest numbers. At the time of this post, he is the all-time leading receiver among undrafted players with 903 receptions.

Welker was hired by the Houston Texans as an assistant coach in January 2017.

During his playing days, Wes established the “Wes Welker Foundation," which primarily benefits schools and other athletic organizations in Oklahoma City. Since its inception, the Wes Welker Foundation has awarded more than $1,400,000 in grants to over 40 Oklahoma City schools and organizations.

In the Fall of 2017, NFL Films aired Wes Welker: A Football Life. You can watch a portion of the film on YouTube, which credits Welker as a game-changing slot receiver.

Follow the Wes Welker Foundation on Twitter @WesWelkerFDN

SOCCER
An exceptional club soccer player, Wes ran track in the spring of his freshman and sophomore years before moving on to Charger soccer in his junior year. He scored 15 goals in four games for the 1999 squad before a season-ending injury stopped him. Wes rejoined the team late in his senior year and was instrumental in leading the Chargers to a 10-4-1 record, their first winning season in history. A two-time MVP, Wes was a key figure in helping the 2000 team become the first Heritage Hall squad ever to qualify for the state tournament. Although his abbreviated career covered only nine games over two seasons, Wes had nine assists. He ranks among the top 5 in career goals and career points, for which he was honored by selection to the 1999 and 2000 All-District teams as well as the 2000 All-State team.