Wesley Andrew Pritchett (born July 7, 1966) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for three seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Atlanta Falcons. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Pritchett was linebacker at the University of Notre Dame between 1985 and leading tackler and all-American on their 1988 national championship team. In 1989 he was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 6th round of the NFL draft. Pritchett then played for the Atlanta Falcons in 1991.
In 1988, an article was published in the New York Times about Pritchett, and two other players, Reggie Ho and Frank Stams, about the effort Lou Holtz made to bolster the team after a coaching change. The team went on to win the 1988 National Championship.
In 2013, ESPN published a story by reporter Jerry Barca about Pritchett and the famed 1989 Fiesta Bowl, in with Notre Dame beating West Virginia 34âÂÂ21, making then National Champions. The same reporter then wrote a book about the team, which included Pritchett, entitled âÂÂUnbeatableâ in 2013.
In 2013, the New York Times published an article by reporter Tim Rohan entitled âÂÂIn âÂÂ88, Irish Needed Three âÂÂKnuckleheadsâ to Win Titleâ which profiled Pritchett.
Pritchett retired from professional football in 1992. Pritchett is now a financial advisor.