Mike Wellman
{{Short description|American football player (born 1956)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Mike Wellman
| position = Center
| number = 65
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|7|15}}
| birth_place = Newton, Kansas, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lb = 253
| high_school = Lawrence (KS)
| college = Kansas
| draftyear = 1979
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 81
| pastteams =
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|1979}})*
- Green Bay Packers (1979–1980)
- Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|1981}})*
- Edmonton Eskimos ({{CFL Year|1982}})*
- San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|1983|1984}})*
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 20
| pfr = WellMi20
}}
Michael J. Wellman (born July 15, 1956) is a former American football center. He played college football for the Kansas Jayhawks and was selected in the third round of the 1979 National Football League (NFL) draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He later had stints with the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Edmonton Eskimos and San Francisco 49ers.
Early life and education
Wellman was born on July 15, 1956, in Newton, Kansas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WellMi20.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Mike Wellman Stats|access-date=2018-03-28|archive-date=2019-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322045916/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WellMi20.htm|url-status=live}} He was the son of Vere Wellman, a football coach.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-manhattan-mercury/133572280/|newspaper=The Manhattan Mercury|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 19, 1973|page=12|title=Kansas prepsters turning in outstanding grid performances|agency=Associated Press|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211143/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-manhattan-mercury/133572280/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He attended Lawrence High School and competed in football as well as in track and field.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle/98023963/|newspaper=The Wichita Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 1, 1973|page=47|title=Mile Relay Pushes Hutchinson to State Crown|author=Smith, Rod|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211146/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle/98023963/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He was the fifth Lawrence alumni to make it to the NFL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93bb8578|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Lawrence (Lawrence, KS) Alumni Pro Stats|access-date=2023-10-17|archive-date=2023-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327064425/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93bb8578|url-status=live}}
Wellman began his collegiate career with the Kansas Jayhawks in 1975.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerw/well01200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Mike Wellman Stats|access-date=2023-10-17|archive-date=2023-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211140/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerw/well01200.html|url-status=live}} He earned a starting role at center as a sophomore in 1976, as the Jayhawks compiled a record of 6–5.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-beacon/133572641/|newspaper=The Wichita Beacon|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 7, 1976|page=14|title=Big 8 coaches concerned|agency=Associated Press|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211142/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-beacon/133572641/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kansas/1976-schedule.html|website=Sports Reference|title=1976 Kansas Jayhawks Schedule and Results|access-date=2023-10-17|archive-date=2023-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004145340/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kansas/1976-schedule.html|url-status=live}} He remained a starter in the 1977 season as a junior during the Jayhawks' 3–7–1 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle/133572782/|newspaper=The Wichita Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 22, 1981|page=45|title=KU's Wellman Giving NFL Another Try|agency=United Press International|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211155/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle/133572782/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kansas/1977-schedule.html|website=Sports Reference|title=1977 Kansas Jayhawks Schedule and Results|access-date=2023-10-17|archive-date=2023-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005032815/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kansas/1977-schedule.html|url-status=live}} He added 15 points for his senior season in 1978, and although Kansas went 1–10, Wellman was selected All-Big Eight Conference and was invited to the Senior Bowl.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal/133573402/|newspaper=The Salina Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 14, 1978|page=18|title=Big Eight players, KU's Mike Wellman on Senior Bowl squad|agency=United Press International|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211143/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal/133573402/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun/133573476/|newspaper=The San Bernardino County Sun|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 4, 1979|page=68|title=Rams grab talent, not names...|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018214141/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun/133573476/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kansas/1978-schedule.html|website=Sports Reference|title=1978 Kansas Jayhawks Schedule and Results|access-date=2023-10-17|archive-date=2023-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004145033/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kansas/1978-schedule.html|url-status=live}} In addition to playing center for the Jayhawks, Wellman also was a long snapper and could play guard.
Professional career
Wellman was selected in the third round (81st overall) of the 1979 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1979nfldraft.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1979 NFL Draft|access-date=2023-10-17|archive-date=2023-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211202/https://www.profootballarchives.com/1979nfldraft.html|url-status=live}} He was traded to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a middle round 1981 draft pick in August 1979 after the Packers were "desperate" for a center.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133573677/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 29, 1979|page=21|title=Nine Rookies Make 1979 Packer Roster|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018214141/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133573677/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He was one of nine rookies to make the 1979 Packers squad. He made his NFL debut in a 6–3 loss to the Chicago Bears and ended up playing all 16 games for the team in 1979.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WellMi20/gamelog/|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Mike Well Career Game Log|access-date=2023-10-17|archive-date=2016-04-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401005628/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WellMi20/gamelog/|url-status=live}}
Wellman was a backup to Larry McCarren and saw little playing time, however; an article from United Press International (UPI) noted that he "sat, sat, sat" and that "[e]xcept for an occasional long snap with the Packers, Wellman's career has been punctuated by clean pants." His only statistic recorded in 1979 was a 10-yard kickoff return. Wellman returned to the Packers in 1980 and made the team, but was placed on injured reserve after four games with an undisclosed non-football illness.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-news/133574062/|newspaper=Sunday News|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 5, 1980|page=14|title=Packers in even match|agency=United Press International|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018214142/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-news/133574062/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He was released by the team on October 30, 1980.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactionsw/well01200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Mike Wellman NFL Transactions|access-date=2023-10-17|archive-date=2023-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211203/https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactionsw/well01200.html|url-status=live}}
After being released by the Packers, Wellman considered retiring, but then "spent more hours in the weight room ... than ever before" in an attempt to return to the NFL.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star/133574315/|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 17, 1981|page=23, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star/133574367/ 24]|title=Chiefs' free agent from KU 'completely healthy' again|author=Pulliam, Kent|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018214142/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star/133574315/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on April 2, 1981. He was waived, however, on August 18 that year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-iola-register/133574416/|newspaper=The Iola Register|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 19, 1981|page=7|title=Chiefs placed 3 on waivers, Morgado retired|agency=Associated Press|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018214148/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-iola-register/133574416/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} Wellman then tried to make the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the 1982 season but did not make the team.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star/133574577/|newspaper=The Toronto Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 20, 1982|page=17|title=Football|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018214144/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star/133574577/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He had a comeback attempt in 1983 with the San Francisco 49ers, but was released in August of that year after having been signed in June.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune/133574675/|newspaper=Oakland Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 12, 1983|page=54|title=49ers play name game|author=Cameron, Steve|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018214144/https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune/133574675/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/auburn-journal/133593222/|newspaper=Auburn Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 10, 1983|page=11|title=Roster game getting tough|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018214145/https://www.newspapers.com/article/auburn-journal/133593222/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He then signed with the team again on July 22, 1984, only to be released on August 8.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/133593311/|newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 23, 1984|page=45|title=Local angles|author=Tefertiller, Casey|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018215146/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/133593311/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sentinel/133593385/|newspaper=The Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 9, 1984|page=14|title=Changes|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018215147/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sentinel/133593385/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He finished his professional career with 20 games played, none as a starter.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Los Angeles Rams 1979 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wellman, Mike}}
Category:People from Newton, Kansas
Category:American football centers
Category:American football long snappers
Category:American football offensive guards
Category:Canadian football centres
Category:Players of American football from Kansas
Category:Kansas Jayhawks football players
Category:Los Angeles Rams players
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:Kansas City Chiefs players