Wes Welker
Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker was spotted passing out $100 bills to fans after winning a massive stack of cash at the Kentucky Derby. Reuters

Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker celebrated his winning bet at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday by passing out $100 bills to random strangers.

Welker, 33, is an annual attendee of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, but his appearance at this year’s event turned out to be particularly lucrative. Marc Blandford, who witnessed Welker’s unexpected generosity, provided some context to USA Today.

Blandford, a fan who has been celebrity-watching at the Kentucky Derby for years, said that he was sitting in his usual spot when he noticed Welker walk by with a stack of $100 bills and a police officer in tow. “I said, ‘Wes Welker, how ya doing?’” he told USA Today.

“He said he just won the Kentucky Derby and proceeded to walk down the line until the police officer stopped him,” Blandford added. “I think six of us ended up with $100 bills. Everyone was pretty much freaking out.”

Several Twitter users managed to capture photos of Welker, who was decked out in a suit, fedora and sunglasses, with a massive wad of cash in his hand. “He just won probably hundreds of thousands of dollars so he just started handing money to people like it was no big thing,” a second fan, Jeff Novak, told USA Today.

California Chrome, a three-year-old colt who was a 2-1 favorite by Saturday afternoon, won the 140th annual Kentucky Derby, while Commanding Curve, a 35-1 underdog, finished in second place. Given his willingness to pass out $100 bills, it’s fair to assume that Welker correctly guessed the race’s winners.

But even without his win at the Kentucky Derby, money might be no object for Welker; he’s currently playing under a $12 million contract with the Denver Broncos. The 10-year NFL veteran had 73 catches for 778 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.