Dear Wes Welker: A Letter from a Sad, Apologetic, and Thankful Fan

Dear Wes Welker,

First, I would like to say I am sorry. I am sorry that the New England Patriots have fallen into the exact same trap that nearly every team and/or organization has fallen into. The trap of doubting you.

Colleges doubted you, and you only got a scholarship at Texas Tech because another recruit backed out. You caught over 250 receptions, and you were named the best special teams player in the nation your senior year. Regardless, the NFL fell into the trap, and they did not invite you to the combine.

San Diego picked you up after you went undrafted, and they promptly cut you before the season started. Coach Marty Schottenheimer admitted he fell into the trap as well, and he said that cutting you was the biggest mistake in roster moves he has ever made.

Miami almost cut you, but did not. They traded you to the Patriots who seemed to be the only team in the NFL who saw in you what you saw in yourself.

The rest is literally in the history books because you hold nearly all receiving records for the Patriots and many records for the entire league. I am sorry that after all you have done for the Patriots - and all you still would do for the Patriots - they still did not sign you last year, and compounded it by not signing you this year.

Next and last, I want to say thank you. Thank you for bringing excitement to New England by proving over and over that underdogs do exist. Not only did you succeed in the NFL as a 5'9" "white guy," but you also broke records doing so.

Not only did you stay healthy for most of your tenure in New England, but you also tore your ACL and did not miss a game.

Of all of those wearing a Patriots uniform, other fans were most jealous of us being able to say, "we got Wes." Other fans wanted that success story on their team. Kids, and adults for that matter, want to be able to defy all odds like you and succeed in their respective fields.

I thank you for all of the catches, TD's, reception yards, and wins. However, I also thank you for the mustaches, the tweets, and the fun. You were a joy to watch in a Patriots uniform, and I am glad to have gotten to watch you and Tom Brady make magic on the field.

I am sorry that you have to leave like this. The Patriots organization may have fallen into the trap of doubt like so many others, but I refuse to. If you feel like the organization has undervalued you, then at least know that Patriots Fan Nation did and does not. I hate the business side of things, and as a fan, it is the part I detest the most because my fanhood is emotion-driven, like everyone else's.

You are appreciated greatly, and on behalf of Patriot Nation: THANK YOU.

Sincerely,
Sam Reilly
A Depressed Fan