According to teammates, Welker can pounce on an opportunity at any time: in the locker room, on the practice field, on the sideline (ask Brady), during a team meal, or a film session, or in a meeting room.
Ah, yes, the meeting room. Again, back to his college days in Lubbock, Texas.
“We had hairless rats me and Mike bought, put them in the running backs meeting room, then turned the lights out,” Welker said. “They were all freaking out and screaming like little girls.”
Teammates also say that Welker picks his spots smartly.
“He’s very timely with his humor,” said Matthew Slater, who admits to being on the receiving end occasionally. “He takes everything he does here very seriously, but he knows how to keep it light, have fun, and enjoy life.
“It’s nice to be able to laugh every now and then in our profession.”
Welker’s thoughts exactly. He has brought out strong emotion during his tenure with the Patriots: Cheering in the stands when he’s done well. Cringing from fans when he has been hurt or hit hard. Laughing from his teammates after one of his jokes or pranks.
It’s simply his personality.
“I guess kind of fun-loving,” Welker said, when asked to describe it. “I can be intense, but at the same time enjoy myself.”
Michael Whitmer can be reached at mwhitmer@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeWhitmer.
