66 Facts About Kellen Winslow

Kellen Winslow played college football for the Missouri Tigers, earning consensus All-American honors in 1978.

Kellen Winslow was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Kellen Winslow had a late start to his football career, not playing until his senior year of high school.

Kellen Winslow was named All-American as a senior, entering the NFL draft as one of the highest-regarded prospects for the league.

Highlights for Kellen Winslow included a five-touchdown performance against the Oakland Raiders and a starring role in the 1981 playoff game known as the Epic in Miami.

Kellen Winslow was progressing at a record-breaking pace in 1984 when a serious knee injury knocked him out of the game for a year.

Kellen Winslow recovered enough to play from 1985 to 1987, but generally failed to recapture his pre-injury form.

Kellen Winslow planned to return for a tenth year in the league but after a single appearance in the 1988 preseason the condition of his knees forced him to retire.

Kellen Winslow was born in East St Louis, Illinois, on November 5,1957, the third of seven children.

Kellen Winslow attended East St Louis Senior High School and did not play high school football until his senior year.

Kellen Winslow tried football as a sophomore, but was discouraged by two-a-days and gave it up after within a week.

Kellen Winslow was convinced to try football again in his senior year by his coach, Cornelius Perry, who persuaded Winslow that it would fund his college education.

Kellen Winslow played primarily in the junior varsity team in his first year, then saw some action with the Tigers as a sophomore.

Kellen Winslow had an increased impact as a junior, increasing his total receptions from 16 to 25.

Kellen Winslow was a consensus pick for tight end in the 1977 All-Big Eight first team.

Kellen Winslow finished his college career with 71 receptions for 1,089 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Kellen Winslow entered the 1979 NFL draft rated as "unquestionably the best prospect at tight end" by analyst Don Heinrich.

Kellen Winslow himself had expected to go to Cincinnati but was pleased when the Chargers selected him as he liked to catch the ball and was aware of Coryell's affinity for the passing game.

Less than three weeks after the draft, Kellen Winslow signed a series of one-year contracts to play for the Chargers.

Kellen Winslow caught his first career touchdown in week 2 of his rookie season on a 5-yard pass from quarterback Dan Fouts.

Kellen Winslow's season ended in a week 7 game against the Seattle Seahawks due to a fractured left fibula.

Kellen Winslow finished with 25 catches, which had led the team at the point when he was injured, for 255 yards and two touchdowns.

Kellen Winslow entered the 1980 season with a chance to claim the number one tight end position, as Klein retired during the offseason.

In week 2, Kellen Winslow had a breakthrough performance against the Oakland Raiders with 9 catches for 132 yards and a touchdown in an overtime win.

Kellen Winslow became the first tight end to exceed 1,000 receiving yards since Jackie Smith in 1967.

Kellen Winslow was instrumental in the Chargers' second consecutive AFC West division title, and was voted both a Pro Bowler and first-team AP All-Pro.

The Chargers frequently used a two-tight end formation, with McCrary lining up as a regular tight end and Kellen Winslow appearing in variable positions, often going in motion.

Kellen Winslow drew more double coverage after Jefferson was traded to the Green Bay Packers; Winslow theorized that teams were more aware of the threat he posed following his performances the previous year.

Kellen Winslow led the league in receptions for the second consecutive season, finishing with 88 catches for 1,075 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Kellen Winslow was again named to the Pro Bowl and the AP All-Pro first team.

Kellen Winslow had 13 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown, and blocked a potential game-winning field goal at the end of regulation time.

Kellen Winslow leaped in the middle of the line to block the kick, barely deflecting the ball with the outside of his right hand: he said, ""For all the receptions and all the yardage, I got more satisfaction out of blocking the field goal.

Kellen Winslow achieved these statistics despite repeatedly having to leave the game with dehydration and severe cramps; he was treated for a pinched nerve in his shoulder and received three stitches in his lower lip.

Kellen Winslow gave a tremendous amount to help his team win one of the great games ever played.

Kellen Winslow had 14 catches for 162 yards and 3 touchdowns in a win over the Chiefs, breaking the franchise single-game receptions record he'd previously shared with Alworth.

Kellen Winslow finished the year with 88 catches for 1,172 yards and 8 touchdowns, and was voted to another Pro Bowl, though this time as the AFC's reserve tight end behind Todd Christensen of Los Angeles.

Kellen Winslow entered the 1984 season seeking to renegotiate his contract.

Kellen Winslow had two years remaining on a five-year contract and a verbal agreement from Chargers ownership that he could negotiate a new deal in 1984.

Kellen Winslow requested an amount which the Chargers refused, with Winslow's agent Jim Steiner stating shortly before the regular season started that the two sides were far apart with their offers.

Kellen Winslow stated at the conference that he would return to San Diego and play the remaining two years there; he was not permitted to sign for the Gamblers until his Chargers contract expired, but expressed an interest in joining them for the 1986 season.

Kellen Winslow then returned to the Chargers, allowing negotiations to re-open.

Kellen Winslow had missed one game due to his holdout, but returned in week 3 to face the Oilers at home.

Kellen Winslow was optimistic of a midseason return in the coming season, and of again being the best tight end in the league.

Kellen Winslow returned to action in week 7, two days short of a year after the injury happened.

Kellen Winslow was visibly upset over his lack of usage, and failed to report for practice the next day, instead flying to Canada to promote a drink in which he had a financial stake.

Kellen Winslow was used primarily as a blocker or decoy throughout the season, and finished with only 25 catches for 318 yards and no touchdowns from his ten appearances.

Kellen Winslow improved in 1986, catching 64 passes for 728 yards and 5 touchdowns, with 45 of his catches coming in the final nine games.

Kellen Winslow sat out the entire strike, which he described as frustrating.

Kellen Winslow taped over his jersey number during a training session in protest at his No 80 being used by one of the replacement players.

Kellen Winslow made his 500th career reception during the season, following Ozzie Newsome as the second tight end to pass the landmark.

Kellen Winslow finished with 53 catches from his twelve games, second-most among NFL tights ends, though his 9.8 yards per reception was the least of his career.

Kellen Winslow's performances earned him his fifth Pro Bowl nomination and a place in the AP All-Pro second team, while his teammates named him their offensive player of the year.

Kellen Winslow expected to continue his career in 1988, though he hinted it might be his last season, reporting that the Chargers did not seem eager to extend his contract.

Kellen Winslow was unable to play in the Chargers' first two preseason games and featured briefly in the third.

Kellen Winslow would forfeit the money if he officially retired; the Chargers offered him half the amount to retire, which Winslow refused.

Kellen Winslow was critical of the Chargers' handling of the situation, saying that they had stripped him of his dignity by imposing the suspension.

Kellen Winslow played in five Pro Bowls, and was named to three AP All-Pro first teams and one second team.

In 1995, Kellen Winslow was inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Chargers Hall of Fame; the Chargers retired his No 80 jersey in 2023.

Kellen Winslow is widely recognized as one of the best to play his position, and credited with revolutionizing the usage of tight ends in the NFL.

Tight ends prior to Kellen Winslow were primarily blockers who lined up next to an offensive lineman and ran short to medium routes; Kellen Winslow said upon being drafted, "I can get just as deep as wide receivers and just as fast," and Coryell quickly identified him as someone who could line up as a wide receiver on some plays and a tight end on others.

Kellen Winslow might start the play in a three point blocking stance or a two point receiver's stance, or be put in motion so he would not be jammed at the line.

Kellen Winslow was credited with creating the H-back position by Joe Bugel, an offensive coordinator with the Washington teams who made use of H-backs to win multiple Super Bowls.

Kellen Winslow called the coin toss at the pregame ceremony at Super Bowl XXIX between the Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers, which was done by then-Congressman Steve Largent on behalf of the surviving members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1995 and 75th Anniversary Team members Otto Graham, Gale Sayers, Mean Joe Greene and Ray Nitschke.

Kellen Winslow earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego in 1993 and spent some time as a sports agent, while doubling as a radio commentator for his alma mater the Missouri Tigers.

Kellen Winslow has two sons, Kellen II with his first wife and Justin Winslow with his then-girlfriend.

When his son announced his intention to sign with the University of Washington, Kellen Winslow objected as the coaching staff featured no African Americans; Kellen Winslow II eventually signed with the University of Miami instead.