Kellen Winslow

Hall of Fame tight end who revolutionized the position with the San Diego Chargers.

Kellen Boswell Winslow Sr. (born November 5, 1957) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1995), he is widely recognized as one of the greatest tight ends in the league's history. Winslow played his entire NFL career (1979–1987) with the San Diego Chargers after being selected in the first round of the 1979 NFL draft. He played college football for the Missouri Tigers, earning consensus All-American honors in 1978. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Quick Facts

Position: Tight end
Born: 5 November 1957
Birthplace: East St. Louis, Illinois, U.S.
Draft year: 1979
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 13
High school: East St. Louis Senior
College: Missouri (1975–1978)

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 traded up to draft Winslow with the 13th overall pick in the draft.

Over the next nine seasons, he was named a first-team All-Pro three times 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 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.

Reader's Guide

Kellen Winslow is a Hall of Fame tight end who played his entire career for the San Diego Chargers. He was drafted 13th overall in 1979 after the Chargers traded up to select him. He led the league in receptions twice and set records for tight ends. His career was cut short by knee injuries.