“Huge Boost” for Texas Tech as three outstanding players are added to the football Ring of Honor
Athletics director Kirby Hocutt revealed on Monday that three new members, tight end Andre Tillman, linebacker Thomas Howard, and inside receiver-return man Wes Welker, will be joining the Texas Tech football Ring of Honor.
Tillman and Howard were part of two of Tech’s most successful teams, with Tillman being recognized as a first-team All-American by The Associated Press after the Red Raiders’ 11-1 season in 1973, and Howard earning first-team All-America honors from Kodak and the Walter Camp Foundation following the Red Raiders’ 10-2 season in 1976.
During his time at Tech from 2000 to 2003, Welker achieved FBS records for career punt-return yardage and touchdown punt returns. He also made significant contributions as a receiver, ranking high in Tech’s history for catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
The induction ceremony for the three players will take place the weekend of Texas Tech’s home game against North Texas on Sept. 14. Each of the honorees is expected to attend the event, and their names and jersey numbers will be added to the wall on the west building of Jones AT&T Stadium.
“The Ring of Honor is reserved for the best of the best in the history of Texas Tech football,” Hocutt said in the announcement release. “Without question, the likes of Thomas Howard, Andre Tillman and Wes Welker belong in that category and are deserving inductees into the Ring of Honor. We’re pleased to welcome them and their families back to campus this season to take their place forever inside Jones AT&T Stadium.”
All three individuals had previously been honored in the Tech Athletics Hall of Fame, with Tillman inducted in 1992, Howard in 1993, and Welker in 2016. However, the Tech football Ring of Honor, which was established in 2012, represents a more exclusive group.
With the addition of these three players, the total number of members in the Tech football Ring of Honor now stands at 11. Six of them have also been enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, including E.J. Holub, Donny Anderson, Dave Parks, Gabe Rivera, Zach Thomas, and Michael Crabtree.
Joining them in the Ring of Honor are Elmer Tarbox and Patrick Mahomes II.
Tillman was a second-round draft pick for the Miami Dolphins and had a brief NFL career due to injuries. Howard, a third-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs, enjoyed a nine-year stint in the NFL with the Chiefs and the St. Louis Cardinals. Welker, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent, played for 12 years with five different teams.
