Kellen Winslow
Encyclopedia
Kellen Boswell Winslow (born November 5, 1957) is a former American football
tight end
with the Missouri
Tigers
and the San Diego Chargers
. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest tight ends in the history of the game. He is currently the athletic director at Central State University
.
Winslow did not play high school football
until his senior year. Until then, he was a self-described "nerd
" who played chess
. 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, as part of Air Coryell, 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, including setting a single season record for receiving yards (a record that still stands) by a tight end with 1,290 yards in the 1980 season. In a 1981 regular season game, Winslow tied an NFL record by catching five touchdown passes.
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 NFL 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 of Winslow being helped off the field by his teammates became an enduring image in NFL Lore.
Tight ends prior to Winslow were primarily blockers lined up next to an offensive lineman and ran short to medium drag routes
. Winslow was put in motion so he would not be jammed at the line, or he was lined up wide or in the slot against a smaller cornerback
. Former Chargers assistant coach Al Saunders
said Winslow was "a wide receiver in an offensive lineman's body." Chargers head coach Don Coryell
said, "If we're asking Kellen to block a defensive end and not catch passes, I'm not a very good coach Back then, defenses would cover Winslow with a strong safety or a linebacker
, as zone defenses were not as popular. Strong safeties in those times were almost like another linebacker, a run defender who could not cover a tight end as fast as Winslow. Providing another defender to help the strong safety opened up other holes. Former head coach Jon Gruden
called Winslow the first "joker" in the NFL. He could line up unpredictably in any formation from a three-point stance
as a blocker to a two-point stance or being in motion as a receiver. Head coach Bill Belichick
notes that the pass-catching tight ends who get paid the most money are "all direct descendants of Kellen Winslow" and that there are fewer tight ends now who can block on the line.
Winslow played in five Pro Bowl
s, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
in 1995, and the College Football Hall of Fame
in 2002. In his nine NFL seasons, Winslow caught 541 passes for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns. Kellen was a consensus All-Pro in 1980, 1981, and 1982. He 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 wide receiver Malcom Floyd
. Winslow worked as a college football announcer with Fox Sports Net
. In 2008, he was appointed the Athletic Director of Central State University in Ohio.
In 1999, he was ranked number 73 on The Sporting News
list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
, also plays tight end
in the NFL. Winslow II was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft
from the Miami
Hurricanes
by the Cleveland Browns
, the team the Chargers traded with to draft the elder Winslow in 1979. Kellen Winslow II now plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kellen Winslow II wore his father's number 80, when he played for the Cleveland Browns, as a sign of respect for his accomplishments.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
with the Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
Tigers
Missouri Tigers football
The Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996...
and the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest tight ends in the history of the game. He is currently the athletic director at Central State University
Central State University
Central State University, commonly referred to as "C-State", is a historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio, United States. It is the only public HBCU in Ohio.-History:...
.
Winslow did not play high school football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
until his senior year. Until then, he was a self-described "nerd
Nerd
Nerd is a derogatory slang term for an intelligent but socially awkward and obsessive person who spends time on unpopular or obscure pursuits, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities. Nerds are considered to be awkward, shy, and unattractive...
" who played chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
. He was drafted in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft
1979 NFL Draft
The 1979 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held May 3–4, 1979...
by the Chargers and played for them until 1987, when he retired from football due to injury. Winslow, as part of Air Coryell, 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, including setting a single season record for receiving yards (a record that still stands) by a tight end with 1,290 yards in the 1980 season. In a 1981 regular season game, Winslow tied an NFL record by catching five touchdown passes.
In a 1982 (1981 season) playoff game against the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
that became known as The Epic in Miami
The Epic in Miami
The Epic in Miami is the name given to a National Football League AFC divisional playoff game between the San Diego Chargers and the Miami Dolphins that took place on January 2, 1982 in the Miami Orange Bowl...
, Winslow caught a playoff record 13 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown, while also blocking a field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
with seconds remaining to send the game to overtime in one of the greatest single player efforts in NFL 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 of Winslow being helped off the field by his teammates became an enduring image in NFL Lore.
Tight ends prior to Winslow were primarily blockers lined up next to an offensive lineman and ran short to medium drag routes
Drag (route)
A drag route is a route run by a receiver in American football, where the receiver runs a few yards downfield, then turns 90° towards the center of the field and runs parallel to the line of scrimmage. This type of route is relatively safe and is thrown to an agile receiver who can make a play...
. Winslow was put in motion so he would not be jammed at the line, or he was lined up wide or in the slot against a smaller cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
. Former Chargers assistant coach Al Saunders
Al Saunders
Al Saunders is the current offensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders.-Early life and playing career:Born in London, England, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1960, and is one of four foreign-born coaches in the NFL...
said Winslow was "a wide receiver in an offensive lineman's body." Chargers head coach Don Coryell
Don Coryell
Donald David Coryell was an American football coach, who coached in the NFL first with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1973–1977 and then the San Diego Chargers from 1978-1986. He was well known for his innovations to football's passing offense. Coryell's offense was commonly known as "Air Coryell"...
said, "If we're asking Kellen to block a defensive end and not catch passes, I'm not a very good coach Back then, defenses would cover Winslow with a strong safety or a linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, as zone defenses were not as popular. Strong safeties in those times were almost like another linebacker, a run defender who could not cover a tight end as fast as Winslow. Providing another defender to help the strong safety opened up other holes. Former head coach Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden
Jon David Gruden is an American football analyst and former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for seven seasons and prior to that the Oakland Raiders for four seasons. In his first year as the head coach of Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII, defeating the Raiders whom he had...
called Winslow the first "joker" in the NFL. He could line up unpredictably in any formation from a three-point stance
Three-point stance
The three-point stance is a stance used by offensive and defensive linemen in American football as well as running backs. This stance requires one hand to touch the ground with the other arm cocked back to the thigh/hip region...
as a blocker to a two-point stance or being in motion as a receiver. Head coach Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
notes that the pass-catching tight ends who get paid the most money are "all direct descendants of Kellen Winslow" and that there are fewer tight ends now who can block on the line.
Winslow played in five Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
s, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
in 1995, and the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
in 2002. In his nine NFL seasons, Winslow caught 541 passes for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns. Kellen was a consensus All-Pro in 1980, 1981, and 1982. He 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
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and his #80 is currently worn by wide receiver Malcom Floyd
Malcom Floyd
Malcom Floyd is an American football wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Wyoming...
. Winslow worked as a college football announcer with Fox Sports Net
Fox Sports Net
The Fox Sports Regional Networks, or simply Fox Sports Net , are a collection of cable TV regional sports networks in the United States owned and operated by News Corporation.- Beginnings :...
. In 2008, he was appointed the Athletic Director of Central State University in Ohio.
In 1999, he was ranked number 73 on The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
Kellen Winslow II
Winslow's son, Kellen Winslow IIKellen Winslow II
Kellen Boswell Winslow, II is an American football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns sixth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
, also plays tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
in the NFL. Winslow II was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
from the Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
by the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, the team the Chargers traded with to draft the elder Winslow in 1979. Kellen Winslow II now plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
Kellen Winslow II wore his father's number 80, when he played for the Cleveland Browns, as a sign of respect for his accomplishments.
External links
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
- Video Top 100 NFL Players #67