Dr . Bobby Welch was a stalwart lineman and LB for Coach Vernon Wells’ team from 1958 – 1961. He was also an outstanding member of the baseball team. After graduating from FPHS, Bobby attended his first year of college at the University of Alabama. He transferred to JSU as a football walk on. His hustle and determination prompted Coach Don Sauls to award him a football scholarship., and he became a starter at linebacker. Sauls declared “Welch is one of the hardest hitters I’ve ever seen and dearly loves contact.” He was defensive captain and team captain his junior and senior years. Before leaving the US Army as a captain, he had become an Airborne Ranger, Jungle Expert and a Green Beret. Gravely wounded in Vietnam combat, he received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star for bravery, Combat Infantryman Badge, Air medal and other decorations.
