Wes Welker had a great time at the Kentucky Derby last spring, a little too great as it turns out. Why anyone would need to take speed to attend the biggest horse race of the year at Churchill Downs is anybody’s guess, but that appears to be what Wes did that day. And, somehow or another, there was a bit of Ecstasy that got into the mix.
Now the NFL is claiming that Welker’s performance was artificially enhanced there at the Derby, why they should care is, again, anyone’s guess. It was, after all, the off season for professional football players. Does the NFL have so much control over the players that they have no time at all away from the league and its omnipresent restrictions?
However, the NFL Commissioner’s office has handed down a 4 game suspension for Mr. Welker, but the Broncos have a bye in week four. So, we won’t be seeing Wes Welker on the football field until week six when the Broncos travel to the Meadowlands to take on the New York Jets on October the 12th.
Just as he was ready to come back from concussion number three, the league announced a suspension. If they have known about this since last spring, why was Welker even allowed to participate in the preseason games? Was the timing all about the dramatic effect, or what?
As for the Denver Bronco football team, Head Coach John Fox told the press, “The news regarding Wes is very disappointing for our team, but we understand the league’s authority in this area. While it’s unfortunate to not have him here to start the year, I have full confidence in our wide receivers and expect that group to continue playing at a high level.”
The Broncos acquired Welker last season in a surprise move from the New England Patriots where he was enjoying immense popularity and putting up championship numbers with Tom Brady. The switch from Brady to Manning could hardly be regarded as a downgrade.
Denver has known about the pending suspension since before training camp even got underway, but they were holding out hope for an appeal filed by Welker, which did not fly with Roger Goodell and company.
Remember the story of Welker passing out $100 bills after the cashier at Churchill Downs overpaid him by almost fifteen dimes? This suspension is the price he will now pay for that day of fun and you can bet it will cost him a lot more than 15 large!
