Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker suffered his third concussion in just 10 months while facing off against the Houston Texans during Saturday’s preseason game.
Welker was absolutely leveled by safety D.J. Swearinger after catching a pass over the middle right before halftime. The 33-year-old immediately left the game, but it’s becoming an all-too-familiar story for Welker who has a history of concussions, and it’s prompting some to raise questions about his future.
Taylor Twellman, who played for the New England Revolution from 2002-2010 and now serves as a soccer analyst for ESPN, joined 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher and Rich on Monday morning to share his two cents on the matter, revealing that he believes Welker should hang up the cleats.
“(Welker) should call it quits. If anything, he should call it quits for twelve months, because science has shown us when you get two concussions in 12 months you are right at the line. But when you get three in less than 12 months it’s mandatory you take one year off.”
Twellman and Welker became friends while the receiver played for the New England Patriots, but his concern also comes from firsthand experience with dangerous head injuries. Twellman suffered eight of his own throughout his lifetime that eventually forced him to retire early from soccer, and he is now pleading for Welker to do the same with football.
“Wes Welker needs to stop. He needs to stop,” Twellman said. “He’s had a phenomenal career, but look at his wife; they’re going to have kids and they’re gonna move on. There’s so much more to life than taking another hit coming through the middle, having a linebacker or a cornerback hit you with their shoulder. Look at the helmet he was wearing in the playoffs. If you think the extra large helmet is gonna stop you, who are you kidding?
“I’m scared for him. I’m being one hundred percent honest with you. He knows the answer. It’s 2014. We have the answers now,” Twellman added.
Photo via USA TODAY Sports Images/Ron Chenoy
