Kellen Boswell Winslow (born 1957 in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois) is a former professional American football tight end with the University of Missouri and the San Diego Chargers.

NFL career

---

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 is frequently credited, along with Ozzie Newsome and John Mackey, with redefining the position of tight end. Historically, tight ends were primarily blockers who also ran short pass routes. Winslow had the size to block and the speed to get downfield quickly along with great athletic ability to both make difficult catches and run well with the ball after the catch. He 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.

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 Chargers history. After the game, a picture Winslow being helped off the field by his teamates^* became an enduring image in NFL Lore.

Winslow played in five Pro Bowls, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. In his 9 NFL season, Winslow caught 541 passes for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns. Kellen 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 tight end Landon Trusty. Winslow is currently working as a college football announcer with Fox Sports Net.

Kellen Winslow Jr.

---

Winslow's son, Kellen Winslow II, also plays tight end in the NFL. Coincidentally, Winslow II was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns - the team the Chargers traded with to draft the elder Winslow in 1979. Kellen Winslow II wears his father's number as a sign of respect for his accomplishments.

External links

---

• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile

1957 births | Living people | African American football players | American football tight ends | Missouri Tigers football players | AFC Pro Bowl players | Pro Football Hall of Fame | St. Louisans | San Diego Chargers players | NFL 1980s All-Decade Team | NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team