Sports Illustrated

Tabs Welborne a Wolverines Greatest

Tripp Welborne H’58 P’21 ’24, Lawrenceville’s dean of athletics and co-curricular education, was selected by Sports Illustrated as one of the 22 greatest players ever to take the field in the 133year history of the University of Michigan’s storied football program. The magazine says its first-team choices encompass “the greatest Wolverines ever … battle-tested tough guys, athletes of historic versatility.” Welborne was named to the Michigan’s Athletics Hall of Honor in 2020.

“This is truly a wonderful honor. Just to be mentioned in the same breath as Wolverine greats is a testament to the collective commitment of teammates and coaches who were instrumental in my journey,” said Welborne, a three-year starter at safety under College Football Hall of Fame coach Bo Schembechler. “Great things are always possible when the path to success is focused on The Team, The Team, The Team.”

A four-year letterman from 1987-90, Welborne is the only Wolverine in history to earn unanimous All-America selection at least twice during their career, and is one of just 21 players in school history to be named first-team All-America at least twice during their career. The two-time first-team All-Big Ten choice won the 1990 National College Defensive Player of the Year Award after being a finalist in 1989.

Welborne’s focus on ‘The Team” rings true, too: He was an integral member of three consecutive Big Ten championship teams from 1988-90. Big Blue finished in the top 10 of the final national polls in three of his four seasons and in the top 20 all four years, topping out at No. 4 in 1988. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings and was a member of the 1992 NFC Central Division championship team. n