The Roast heard round the world continues to make headlines.
Wes Welker, renowned for his productive tenure with Tom Brady where he amassed 567 receptions, 6,345 yards, and 34 touchdowns across 78 games, chose not to attend Brady’s roast despite many of his former teammates, including Randy Moss, Rob Gronkowski, and Julian Edelman, taking part in the event.
Despite ranking fourth among Brady’s all-time touchdown collaborators with 38 scores—trailing only Gronk (105), Edelman (41), and Moss (40)—Welker opted out.
As a key figure in the New England Patriots during his playing days, his absence was noticeable. He later explained his decision, indicating a reluctance to be the butt of jokes that might revisit some less stellar moments from his time with the Patriots.
“I was not asked to be a presenter. I was asked to sit on the side and get roasted, which I’m glad I wasn’t there. To each their own, I guess,” Welker commented.
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The five-time Pro Bowler also expressed his disappointment with the tone of the roast. “There was some funny stuff and everything, but you know, it was what it was,” said Welker, now a wide receiver coach for the Miami Dolphins.
Tom Brady himself criticized the event, particularly its impact on his children, and declared he would never participate in another roast.
Welker’s illustrious NFL career included stints with the Chargers (then in San Diego), the Dolphins, the Denver Broncos, and the Rams (then in St. Louis), though he never clinched a Super Bowl win during his years with the Patriots from 2007 to 2012.