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There's a lot of things fans don't know about Wes Welker....
Considered one of the greatest receivers in the game today, not many fans know that only one NFL player has had more all-purpose yards in their first three seasons than Welker.
That player's name was Gale Sayers.
Welker was the first pro football player to ever record 110-plus receptions in three consecutive seasons.
What most fans don't realize is that nobody in the NFL has ever caught over 110 passes three times in their entire career.
Nobody!
Back to School
My admiration for Wes Welker all started in college. I was attending Texas Tech University in pursuit of a masters degree, and I kept hearing about this little guy on the football team who was running circles around the competition.
I attended a few home games where I was able to see Welker's heroics firsthand: a variety of acrobatic receptions interspersed with a few "take it to the house" punt returns.
Yeah, the guy was pretty high up in my estimation. And actually getting to meet him on my way to graduation ceremonies didn't hurt much either (my only regret was not getting Welker to sign my program so I could prove to my sons that my story was actually true).
Well, years pass, and despite his size and the critics collective concern about his ability to make it in the NFL - Welker makes it. And, as mentioned, he makes it pretty big.
But in 2009, on a routine catch against the Houston Texans, Welker plants his foot and his knee crumbles. He tears both his MCL and ACL. Welker was done for the season.
About this same time, I was just minding the Shuttle Systems’ business when we get a phone call from the New England Patriots. A man - who shall remain nameless - orders a Shuttle MiniPress.
The Little Mini Press
Now, don't get me wrong. Somebody ordering a Shuttle MiniPress isn't a shocker. We sell a lot of these MiniPresses.
But we sell them to nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare agencies!
The Shuttle MiniPress is lightweight, mobile, and allows you to "bring the press to the patient." But, generally, that patient is a much OLDER patient.
So, what is a world champion football team doing ordering a Shuttle MiniPress?!?
Well, I had to know. I called back "the man from New England" and asked him how they were going to use the MiniPress and who it was for.
He wouldn't tell me....
All he could say was, it was for a player who was going to have knee surgery, and they wanted to be able to take the MiniPress to his home so he could start his rehab immediately.
WES WELKER!!!
When I asked if, in fact, it was for Welker, the man said that he couldn't tell me. I imagined it was one of those I'd-tell-ya-but-I'd-have-to-kill-ya type deals. Seriously, the secrecy and competition in professional sports - especially football - has grown to ridiculous levels. If a pro football coach has to cover his mouth with the play card so the opposing coaches can't read his lips and know the play he's calling, you gotta know that these guys would have no qualms whatsoever in "wacking" somebody from an exercise equipment company.
I Just Know It
But I know in my heart of hearts that Welker used our Shuttle MiniPress. Wes Welker - star receiver, perennial pro bowler, NFL world champion, and all around stud - was rehabbing on the Shuttle MiniPress! I can just envision it in my mind: the Patriots bought the MiniPress, took it to Welker's home, put it on his bed, and had him go through some simple range-of-motion exercises to begin the recovery process.
Now, did I actually see this? No! I'm a fan, not a stalker.
But, I don't have to prove nothin' to nobody. The circumstantial evidence surrounding the Patriots' purchase of the MiniPress is compelling enough. And - though I may be a tad biased - I think the recovery results also speak for themselves.
Welker came back from his double knee injury in only six months! He went on to catch 86 passes, racking up 846 yards, and scoring seven touchdowns. Was the Shuttle MiniPress responsible for all that? Well... don't know if I can say exactly that.... But, I'd like to think that the MiniPress did play at least a small part in his miraculous comeback.
And the MiniPress Miracle continues....
This year, in the Patriots first game of the season against the Miami Dolphins, Welker tied an NFL record with a 99 yard touchdown reception!
Wes Welker and the Shuttle MiniPress....
Yeah, it's our little secret!