[2] His African American parents were natives of Alabama who met while working on a shipyard.
[2] Welch attended David Douglas High School where he was All-State in basketball and football.
As a rookie, he was the fastest running back in training camp,[4] but was waived and signed to the taxi squad,[5] before being promoted to the roster on November 13.
He is best remembered for his play against the San Francisco 49ers in the 1970 NFC Championship game, when he had 5 carries for 27 yards while giving Walt Garrison a breather.
[8] In 1971, he earned a ring as a member of the Super Bowl VI-winning Dallas Cowboys, under coach Tom Landry.