Miami Dolphins receivers coach Wes Welker. Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Former All-Pro Wes Welker slams NFL after being denied disability benefits

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/27/22

Former All-Pro and current Miami Dolphins wide receivers coach Wes Welker isn't happy with the NFL.

Undersized at 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, Welker sustained his fair share of injuries over a 12-year NFL career.

Along with the usual sprains and strains that come with being a professional football player, Welker also suffered several concussions and knee injuries that required surgery during his playing career.

Despite years of sacrificing his body in the NFL, Welker revealed on Twitter that the league denied his application for Line of Duty disability (LOD) benefits.

⁦@NFL⁩ I don’t have the time or patience for this. Been an employee of the NFL for 18 years and still going. This is bush league stuff! pic.twitter.com/kcOfuSStx3
— Wes Welker (@WesWelker) August 27, 2022

The Disability Claims Committee rejected the claim for benefits due to "a lack of supportive documentation" within Welker's medical records.

"Specifically, there were no records reflecting that the surgeries were performed as a result of injuries sustained while playing in the NFL," the committee's response read.

In 2010, Welker underwent surgery to repair his left ACL after tearing both his ACL and MCL in the final game of the regular season.

A five-time Pro Bowler, Welker compiled 903 receptions for 9,924 yards over 12 NFL seasons with the Miami Dolphins, then-San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and then-St. Louis Rams.

In February, the 41-year-old joined Mike McDaniel's staff in Miami as receivers coach. Welker spent three seasons coaching wideouts for the San Francisco 49ers after two seasons as an offensive and special teams assistant with the Houston Texans.

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