Kellen Winslow

Verified Timeline

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 redshirted in 1975 and played from 1976 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 with the New York Giants to move up to 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 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 1981 playoff run featured one of Winslow's most iconic moments: the "Epic in Miami." Earlier that season, he had delivered a stunning performance against the Oakland Raiders, catching 13 passes for 144 yards and five touchdowns, tying an NFL single-game record. In the AFC Championship Game, however, injuries to teammate Greg McCrary forced Winslow into a conventional tight end role with limited receiving opportunities, resulting in just three catches as San Diego lost 34–27 to Oakland. By 1984, Winslow was progressing at a record-breaking pace until a serious knee injury knocked him out for the entire year. Although he recovered enough to play from 1985 to 1987, he never fully recaptured his pre-injury form. After a single appearance in the 1988 preseason, the condition of his knees forced him to retire, ending a career that had transformed the NFL.

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. Until then, he was a self-described 'nerd' who played chess. He tried football as a sophomore, but was discouraged by two-a-days and gave it up after a week. As a junior, he had a job with United Parcel Service (UPS) and had no time for the sport. He 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. In his solitary year with the East St. Louis Flyers, Winslow caught 17 passes and was voted to the 1974 All-Southwestern Conference first team as an end. The Flyers season ended with an overtime 19–13 defeat by Glenbrook North in the championship game; a tearful Winslow blamed himself after failing to make a difficult catch in the end zone on the game's penultimate play. The University of Missouri recruited Winslow to play football for the Tigers; head coach Al Onofrio described him as 'the best looking future prospect on the East side'. Winslow theorized that he had been recruited chiefly because of his size, as his high school statistics had been unremarkable. He played primarily on the junior varsity team in his first year, then saw some action with the Tigers as a sophomore. Winslow had an increased impact as a junior, increasing his total receptions from 16 to 25. He was a consensus pick for tight end in the 1977 All-Big Eight first team. Entering his senior year, an Associated Press (AP) article described him as 'probably the best player' awaiting new head coach Warren Powers; Powers said of Winslow, 'his kind don't come along very often'. He went on to catch 29 passes in 1978, being voted a consensus All-American and second team All-Big Eight. He finished his college career with 71 receptions for 1,089 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his final game as a Tiger, he added a further touchdown and Missouri defeated Louisiana State University 20–15 in the 1978 Liberty Bowl. Winslow's college achievements subsequently brought him numerous honors—he has been inducted into the Halls of Fame of the Missouri Tigers, Missouri Sports and College Football. The Tigers retired his No. 83 jersey. Winslow entered the 1979 NFL draft rated as 'unquestionably the best prospect at tig

Did You Know?

• Winslow finished his college career with 71 receptions for 1,089 yards and 10 touchdowns.
• Winslow was selected 13th overall after the Chargers traded with the New York Giants, who had the 13th pick.