#14th MMM Player Since ’90: #3 Tripp Welborne
August 24th, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^
Vada Murray (#27) and Tripp Welborne (#3) go for the block. A fantastic pair of safeties, perhaps the best pair to wear maize and blue.August 24th, 2011 at 5:56 PM ^
That's an awesome pic. They both have lots of helmet sticks..
August 24th, 2011 at 6:28 PM ^
Growing up, I assumed that over-the-top blocked field goals were the norm because of them. Tripp was a great kick returner, too.
My favorite player from childhood.
August 24th, 2011 at 6:57 PM ^
Tripp was my first "favorite" Michigan player because he always did neat things on the football field, so when I was like 10, he was the man. And then came Desmond, and well...
But it does continue my long time bias towards Michigan safeties. Ty Law, Marcus Ray, Ernest Shazor, Jamar Adams, and yes, now Jordan Kovacs.
August 24th, 2011 at 7:16 PM ^
4th quarter, 1989 Michigan State game in East Lansing: We're up 10-0 but Sparty has a 4th and goal from the 1. Earlier in the game, we converted a 4th and goal from the 1 (a handoff to Leroy Hoard where he went in standing up.) Now with MSU trying the same, they hand off to their senior running back, Blake Ezor, who gets stuffed by Tripp Welborne at the 1. Good guys take possession.
Earlier that year, Tripp had a 63 yard punt return against UCLA that set up our first touchdown.
But Tripp will best be remembered with Vada Muarry (rest in peace) for blocking field goals and extra points like it was child's play.
August 25th, 2011 at 9:06 AM ^
i am willing to bet that this is the only college football defense highlight video that features a song by Richard Marx.
August 25th, 2011 at 11:47 PM ^
Oh my goodness, it's Lloyd, before the media killed his whimsy.
August 24th, 2011 at 9:03 PM ^
That was cruel to happen in a walk over Minny.
August 24th, 2011 at 9:48 PM ^
IIRC, Welborne was so highly regarded most were considering him a 1st-3rd round pick in the NFL draft the following spring before the knee injury. This was spectacular at the time considering Michigan didn't put a huge number of high draft picks in the NFL during this era. Tripp was caught in the era before the Dr James Andrews revolution in ACL injury surgery/rehab so the knee innjury was basically the end of his career. He played one season with Minnesota although i think I remember him playing for the Detroit Drive or a season in NFL Europe?
August 25th, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^
It was heartbreaking to watch Tripp go by on the cart with the brace on.
August 25th, 2011 at 8:54 AM ^
obviously.
i just remember this guy was everywhere, doing everything very well. defense, kick returns, blocking kicks. proto-woodson.
also, a totally sweet name, that would fit perfectly in twain or dickens. trip - an act of clumsiness, well born - suggests someone naturally bred with advantage and privilege. so this would be a person of good upbringing and virtue who makes an ill-advised decision - perfect for redemption.
August 25th, 2011 at 11:06 AM ^
He could have been a starter at 3 or 4 positions. And he was a standout on just about all of the special teams. And yes he would be much better remembered by younger generations of fans had he not tragically blown up his knee late in his senior season. Because he'd have been a high-round NFL pick. A really great football player. I seem to remember Brent Musberger almost crying, when talking about the Welborne injury.
August 27th, 2011 at 9:24 AM ^
More like MGoRipoff.com
/zing!
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