The Phinsider
Wes Welker and two others will be enshrined the weekend of Sept. 14 when Texas Tech hosts North Texas.
Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Wes Welker will return to his old stomping grounds in Lubbock, Texas, later this fall to join the Texas Tech Football Ring of Honor.
The school’s athletics director, Kirby Hocutt, announced that tight end Andre Tillman, linebacker Thomas Howard, and Welker will be enshrined the weekend of Sept. 14 when the Red Raiders host North Texas.
“It means a lot... Texas Tech has always meant a lot to me,” Welker said when hearing the news. “There wasn’t a lot of people that believed in me, but [Texas Tech] is really where the groundwork started. It's such a cool thing and I’m so honored.
“It’s such a special place to me and the memories I made, it’s just — wow. This is such a blessing and I cannot thank you all enough.”
Welker, currently wide receivers coach for the Miami Dolphins, joined Texas Tech as part of Mike Leach’s inaugural class. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Red Raiders and capped his college career with 97 receptions for 1,099 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior.
Welker signed with the San Diego Chargers after going undrafted in 2004. The Dolphins claimed him off waivers later that year. Welker powered Miami’s special teams unit and became the second player in NFL history to return a kickoff, punt, kick an extra point, kick a field goal, and make a tackle in a single game.
The New England Patriots traded second and seventh-round picks for Welker in 2007. He went to five straight Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors twice from 2008-2012. He retired in 2015 after 903 receptions for 9,924 yards and 50 touchdowns across 175 career games.
Tillman, who played tight end at Texas Tech from 1971-1973, was drafted by the Dolphins in the second round of the 1974 NFL Draft and appeared in 58 games over four seasons. He caught 66 passes for 757 yards and six touchdowns with Miami.
It’ll be a busy weekend for Welker, who is expected to attend the enshrinement celebration. He’ll make his way to Texas after Miami hosts the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football on Sept. 12.
