He had success with the Raiders with two 1,000-yard seasons and All-Star and Pro Bowl appearances, but saw his career end because of legal troubles.
Wells grew up in Beaumont, Texas, where he attended Hebert High School; he was one of 16 pro footballers honored with the keys to the city in 1971.
While with the Raiders, with mostly Daryle Lamonica as his quarterback, he was one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the league,[3][4] finishing with over 20 yards per catch in all four seasons.
In the postseason run for the Raiders, he caught four passes for 93 yards for two touchdowns as Oakland advanced to the AFL title game with a 41–6 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
[8] Before the 1971 season started, Wells' career was cut short following legal difficulties relating to his divorce and subsequent criminal charges.
Following the Pro Bowl game in Los Angeles on January 24, 1971, Wells was met by police in the locker room and arrested on a warrant for a probation violation originating from his conviction in 1969 for aggravated assault.
Also noted by the Bay Area newspapers during this time, Wells was arrested for carrying a gun in his car, and a judge, instead of sending him to prison, allowed him to enter Synanon House, a drug rehabilitation center.