Welker can do it all on field; does it all for others, too

Wes Welker never played a down of football for Southeast High School.

Never wore the blue and white.

Never sang the Spartans' fight song.

Yet, the New England Patriots receiver could have a lasting impact on athletics there. Welker's charitable organization is on the verge of granting money to Southeast for massive weight room improvements.

What is now a small, sorry space could become a jewel.

"The 83 Foundation” hopes Southeast is just the first of many Oklahoma City public schools it will help.

"We would like to go into a lot of ... schools that don't have the funding for athletics, assess their needs and help them,” said Welker's brother, Lee, who oversees the foundation along with his wife, Sarah.

Oklahoma City is already proud of Welker, the Heritage Hall product who not only led the undefeated Patriots with 112 receptions but also tied T.J. Houshmandzadeh for the most catches in the NFL this season. A Super Bowl ring could be in the offing, too.

But really, Oklahoma City should be proud of this native son for so many more reasons.

Welker is one of the good guys.

Long before he signed a five-year, $18.1 million contract with the Patriots, Welker started his foundation. Not every NFL player has a charitable organization, yet Welker began looking for ways to give back when he was primarily a special-teams specialist in Miami.

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