Kellen Winslow
Kellen Boswell Winslow (born
1957 in
St. Louis,
Missouri and raised in
East St. Louis, Illinois) is a former professional
American football tight end with the
University of Missouri and the
San Diego Chargers.
He was drafted in the first round of the
1979 NFL Draft by the Chargers and played for them until 1987, when he retired from football due to injury. Winslow is frequently credited, along with
Ozzie Newsome and
John Mackey, with redefining the position of tight end. Historically, tight ends were primarily blockers who also ran short pass routes. Winslow had the size to block and the speed to get downfield quickly along with great athletic ability to both make difficult catches and run well with the ball after the catch. He led the NFL in receptions in 1980 and 1981, becoming the first tight end ever to lead the league in receptions in back to back seasons. He also exceeded the 1,000 yards receiving milestone in 3 different seasons.
In a 1982 (1981 season), playoff game against the
Miami Dolphins that became known as
The Epic In Miami, Winslow caught a playoff record 13 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown, while also blocking a
field goal with seconds remaining to send the game to overtime in one of the greatest single player efforts in Chargers history. What made Winslow's performance all the more memorable was that fact during the game he was treated for a pinched nerve in his shoulder, dehydration, severe cramps, and received three stitches in his lower lip. After the game, a picture Winslow being helped off the field by his teamates[
1] became an enduring image in
NFL Lore.
Winslow played in five
Pro Bowls, was elected to the
Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995, and the
College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. In his 9 NFL season, Winslow caught 541 passes for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns. Kellen is also a member of the
NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. His jersey has not, as yet, been retired by the
San Diego Chargers and his #80 is currently worn by tight end Landon Trusty. Winslow is currently working as a college football announcer with
Fox Sports Net.
Winslow's son,
Kellen Winslow II, also plays tight end in the NFL. Coincidentally, Winslow II was drafted in the first round of the
2004 NFL draft by the
Cleveland Browns - the team the Chargers traded with to draft the elder Winslow in 1979. Kellen Winslow II wears his father's number as a sign of respect for his accomplishments.
Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
