NFL: Patriots' Wes Welker says comments made in jest

By Jimmy Golen

Associated Press

Published: Monday, Oct. 8 2012 11:45 p.m. MDT

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) shares a fist-bump with Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) after they connected for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012 in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Associated Press

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Summary

Wes Welker told reporters he was only joking when he said after Sunday's game that he enjoyed catching 13 passes against the Denver Broncos to "stick it" in coach Bill Belichick's face.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Wes Welker told reporters he was only joking when he said after Sunday's game that he enjoyed catching 13 passes against the Denver Broncos to "stick it" in coach Bill Belichick's face.

Welker made a rare Monday appearance in the locker room during media availability to straighten things out.

"It was a joke," Welker said. "I don't know what else to say about it."

Welker did not start in three games so far this season after unsuccessful negotiations on a long-term deal, leading to speculation that Belichick was upset with him over the negotiations.

After catching 13 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-21 victory over the Broncos, he told Comcast SportsNet with a wink, "Yeah it's kind of nice to stick it in Bill's face once in a while."

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