Kellen Winslow

Lore & Background

Winslow had a late start to his football career, not playing until his senior year of high school. Noted for his unusual combination of size and speed, he was recruited by the Missouri Tigers, where he played from 1975 to 1978, ranking among the team's reception leaders during his last two seasons. He was named All-American as a senior, entering the NFL draft as one of the highest-regarded prospects for the league. San Diego selected Winslow with the 13th overall pick in the draft. Over the next nine seasons, he was named a first-team All-Pro twice and a Pro Bowler five times. After a promising rookie season (1979) was ended by injury, Winslow became a key figure in head coach Don Coryell's offense from 1980 to 1983, twice leading the league in receptions. His success in the passing game had long-term effects on the usage of tight ends, who had previously been perceived as good blockers who would catch occasionally. Highlights for 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. Winslow was progressing at a record-breaking pace in 1984 when a serious knee injury knocked him out of the game for a year. He recovered enough to play from 1985 to 1987, but generally failed to recapture his pre-injury form. 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.

In Their Own Story

The San Diego sun was going down over the Pacific when the fourth quarter ticked past twelve minutes. The stadium—that vast, open-air bowl of concrete and sodium light—roared with the particular, gut-level noise of a home crowd that had been waiting all season for this drive. Winslow stood at the line of scrimmage, hands on his hips, watching the defensive end across from him shift his feet. He could feel the leather of his gloves warming in the late-summer air, the faint sting of the shoulder pads where they pressed against his collar. The quarterback called the play. Winslow ran his route—three steps in, a sharp break, then a long, lazy fade down the sideline that made the safety hesitate. The ball arrived in his hands like it had been wrapped for him. He tucked it, hit the turf, and the stadium detonated. He did not celebrate. He simply turned, looked up the field, and pointed to the next down. The Captain had work to do.

Reader's Guide

Winslow was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, on November 5, 1957, the third of seven children. He attended East St. Louis Senior High School and did not play high school football until his senior year. He played college football at the University of Missouri from 1975 to 1978, finishing with 71 receptions for 1,089 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was a consensus All-American in 1978. In the NFL, he played his entire career with the San Diego Chargers from 1979 to 1987. He was a three-time first-team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowl selection. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Did You Know?

• Winslow did not play football until his senior year of high school.
• He was a self-described 'nerd' who played chess before taking up football.
• He set an NFL record for tight ends with 89 receptions in 1980.
• He scored five touchdowns in a single game against the Oakland Raiders.
• His No. 83 jersey was retired by the Missouri Tigers.