Warren Wells
| Warren Wells | |
|---|---|
| Born |
November 14, 1942 Franklin, Louisiana |
| Position(s) | WR |
| College | Texas Southern |
| NFL Draft | 1964 / Round 12 / Pick 160 |
| Career highlights | |
| AFL All-Star | 1968 |
| AFC-NFC Pro Bowl | 1970 |
| Honors | American Football League Champion, 1967 |
| Statistics | |
| Teams | |
| 1964 1967-1969 1970 |
NFL Detroit Lions AFL Oakland Raiders NFL Oakland Raiders |
Warren Wells (born November 14, 1942 in Franklin, Louisiana) is a former American college and Professional Football player, who played wide receiver for five seasons, one for the NFL's Detroit Lions (1964) and, after spending two years in the U.S. Army (rare for NFL players), four for the American Football League's and American Football Conference's Oakland Raiders. Wells is listed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in Canton, Ohio, as one of 29 NFL players who served in the military during the Vietnam War. The HOF recognition of Wells can be seen at the Pro Football Hall of Fame website..
On June 26, 2013, Wells was inducted into the Hebert High School Alumni Hall of Fame. He received accolades for his outstanding performance in professional football, and for community service. Wells inspired two professionals and a professor to establish a yearly "Standing in the Gap Festival" to promote inter-generational communication between young and elder professional athletes in the Golden Triangle area in Texas. This annual event is held on July 5 at 2728 Goliad, a day after the birth-date of the great Al Davis, who advocated the recruiting of athletes from Historically Black Colleges and Universities such as Texas Southern University. The festival is held on the grounds of the homestead site of the Warren Wells family.
His journey has inspired the writing of more than 1081 articles by a Raider Nation Times writer. He was also a senior advisor for more than 810 articles published by a Bleacher Report writer from 2009 to 2011. Plans for the development of a residential center, to be located at 2728 Goliad Street, in Beaumont, Texas, the former location of the Wells' family homestead are ongoing.
Years with the Raiders
While with the Raiders, with mostly Daryle Lamonica as his quarterback, he was one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the league,[1][2] finishing with over 20 yards per catch in all four seasons.[3] In 1969, he led the AFL in yards received (1260), yards per catch (a whopping 26.8), and touchdowns (14). He also led the AFL in touchdowns in 1968 (11), as well as finishing 4th in yards received (1137). He was an AFL All-Star in 1968 and an AFC-NFC All-Pro in 1970. Wells held the career NFL record in yards per catch (23.1) up to the date of a change in NFL guidelines, currently a minimum 200 career receptions,[4] Wells falling short at 158.
Legal troubles
Before the 1971 season started, Wells' career was cut short following legal difficulties relating to his divorce and subsequent criminal charges. The Raiders released him and he never played football again.[5]
References
- ↑ Parker, Craig; Kimball, George. Football's Blackest Hole. Frog Books, 2003. ISBN 1-58394-092-8, ISBN 978-1-58394-092-1
- ↑ Travers, Steven. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Oakland Raiders: Heart-Pounding, Jaw-Dropping, and Gut-Wrenching Moments from Oakland Raiders History. Triumph Books, 2008. ISBN 1-57243-927-0, ISBN 978-1-57243-927-6
- ↑ Pro Football Reference Statistics
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/indiv/receiving
- ↑ Dickey Glenn. Just Win, Baby: Al Davis and His Raiders. Harcourt, 1991. ISBN 0-15-146580-0, ISBN 978-0-15-146580-4