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29 Facts About Tripp Welborne

1.

Sullivan Anthony "Tripp" Welborne III was born on November 20,1968 and is an American former professional football player for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.

2.

Tripp Welborne had five interceptions as a sophomore in 1988, and was a two-time unanimous All-American in both 1989 and 1990, one of only two players in school history to do so.

3.

Tripp Welborne sustained a serious injury in the 10th game of the 1990 season that required reconstructive surgery on his right knee.

4.

Tripp Welborne was unable to play during the 1991 NFL season, but attempted a comeback the following year.

5.

Tripp Welborne appeared in only two games for Minnesota Vikings during the 1992 NFL season before suffering a career ending ACL injury to his left knee.

6.

Tripp Welborne was given the nickname "Tripp" because he was the third generation in his family to be named Sullivan Welborne.

7.

Tripp Welborne attended Walter Hines Page Senior High School in Greensboro, North Carolina.

8.

Tripp Welborne was a three-sport star at Page High School, playing football, basketball and baseball.

9.

Tripp Welborne enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1987 and played college football for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1987 to 1990.

10.

Tripp Welborne arrived at Michigan as a highly rated wide receiver prospect, and played in every game.

11.

Tripp Welborne caught two passes for 45 yards during the 1987 season.

12.

Tripp Welborne handled the position change well, winning the 1988 John Maulbetsch Award as the freshman player best demonstrating desire, character, and capacity for leadership during spring practice.

13.

Tripp Welborne started all 12 games at strong safety for the 1988 Michigan football team, compiling 72 tackles, five interceptions, three pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries.

14.

Tripp Welborne totaled 80 tackles, four pass breakups and three interceptions in 1989.

15.

Tripp Welborne became Michigan's principal punt returner in 1989, returning 32 punts for 297 yards, an average of 9.3 yards per return.

16.

In just 10 games, Tripp Welborne had 86 tackles, seven pass breakups, a fumble and an interception.

17.

Tripp Welborne returned 31 punts for 455 yards, including returns of 60 yards against Indiana, 53 yards against Illinois, and 38 yards against Notre Dame.

18.

Tripp Welborne broke Michigan's single-season record with his total of 455 punt return yards, a record that stood until 2003 when it was broken by Steve Breaston.

19.

Tripp Welborne was college defensive player of the year, and was selected for the second consecutive year as a unanimous first-team All-American.

20.

Tripp Welborne returned 67 punts for 773 yards, an average of 11.5 yards per return.

21.

Tripp Welborne is an outstanding blitzer and ball-reactor, very intelligent.

22.

Tripp Welborne was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 1991 NFL draft.

23.

Tripp Welborne was projected to be drafted as a top 5 pick in the first round, but fell in the draft after injuring his knee and undergoing reconstructive surgery.

24.

Tripp Welborne missed the 1991 NFL season while rehabilitating his knee, but signed a contract with the Vikings in April 1992 that was contingent on Welborne passing a physical examination on his knee.

25.

Tripp Welborne appeared in two games for the Vikings during the 1992 season.

26.

Tripp Welborne tore the ACL in his left knee during a game against the Detroit Lions, ending his 1992 season.

27.

Tripp Welborne attempted a comeback in 1993, but injured his knee again, and his playing career was over.

28.

Tripp Welborne then moved into the financial service field, working for Wachovia Securities, as a risk manager at Bank of America, and then with Target Financial Services.

29.

From at least 2008 to 2015, Tripp Welborne was employed as the athletic director at Shorecrest Preparatory School, a private school in St Petersburg, Florida.