NFL HOF Spotlight: Kellen Winslow

This NFL Hall of Fame spotlight focuses on Kellen Winslow, the legendary tight end of the San Diego Chargers. Regarded as one of the best tight ends in the league’s history, Winslow’s size, speed, and pass-catching ability allowed him to put up unconventional numbers for the position. His versatility redefined what a tight end could be, proving they could be more than just blockers.

Let’s dive into Winslow’s incredible football career.

Early Life and College Career

Winslow started football later than most Hall of Famers, only considering it in his senior year of high school. But once he did, he became a phenomenon. The University of Missouri came for his services, recruiting him to the Missouri Tigers football team.

His impact on the team was undeniable and electrifying. He was a unanimous selection for the 1977 All-Big Eight first team as a tight end. Heading into his senior year, he was widely regarded as the best player on the team. Winslow backed up the hype in 1978, grabbing 29 catches and earning consensus All-American honors, along with a spot on the All-Big Eight second team.

The Chargers wanted Winslow so badly that they struck a draft-day deal with the Cleveland Browns to land him with the 13th overall pick in 1979.

Professional Football Career

Winslow quickly got things up and running in the professional league. In just the second week of his rookie season, he caught his first career touchdown, helping his team cruise past the Oakland Raiders. His flying start, however, was cut short by a knee injury.

In 1980, Winslow returned to display how good he was on the gridiron. He announced himself by leading the league with 89 receptions. The next season, he did it again, finishing atop the NFL’s receptions leaderboard once more—this time with just one catch less. In both seasons, he earned Pro Bowl selections and went on to make three more.

Versatile, Unconventional, and Revolutionary

Tight ends were primarily used as blockers, acting as an extension of the offensive line to support the run game and protect the quarterback. While some tight ends did catch passes, their role in the passing game was limited, often serving as a safety valve rather than a primary target.

However, Winslow completely changed the narrative for the position. He had the athleticism to run routes like a wide receiver and create mismatches for defenses. Thankfully, Don Coryell recognized his potential and helped him unleash it to the fullest. Winslow became one of the dominant forces on the team that made the “Air Coryell” system thrive.

Winslow’s versatility became a secret weapon for the Chargers. It was difficult to predict his position on the field because he could play a number of them. Flanker, split end, slotback, H-back, wingback, or conventional tight end, whatever position Coryell required of Winslow, the Illinois-born star executed to perfection.

Winslow’s impact was so massive that the iconic New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick described big-money tight ends with similar abilities as “descendants of Winslow.”

Once-in-a-lifetime Season

Winslow had a terrific nine-year career in the NFL. But his best performances came in the 1981 season. He endured a slow start to the season, partly due to the trade that saw John Jefferson move to the Green Bay Packers. With Jefferson gone, defenses focused more on Winslow, increasing his double coverage and making life tougher. But as they say, “You can’t keep a good man down.”

Winslow found his breakthrough, eventually finishing as the league leader in receptions that season while also recording a career-high 10 touchdowns. Five of those 10 touchdowns came in a single game against the Raiders in Week 12. Winslow’s five touchdowns in that game became a record as no other tight end in NFL history has scored more touchdowns in a single game. In the award voting at the end of the season, Winslow finished in sixth place in AP MVP voting and eighth for AP Offensive Player of the Year.

Winslow’s immense contribution to the team helped them win their third consecutive AFC West division title. Progressing into the divisional playoffs, the Chargers faced the Miami Dolphins and that game was the most memorable one in Winslow’s incredible career.

The ‘Epic in Miami’

Dubbed ‘Epic in Miami,’ the game lived up to its name, with Winslow at the heart of a whirlwind battle. Winslow caught 13 passes for 166 yards and scored a touchdown. But the stats board doesn’t even tell the full story. The climax of his insanely good performance came at the end of regulation time.

Miami’s Uwe von Schamann attempted a 43-yard field goal that could have sealed the game but Winslow had other plans. Stretching his 6’5” frame to its absolute limit, Winslow got just enough of his fingers on the ball to alter its trajectory. It was a breathtaking moment that sent the game into overtime. The Chargers went on to win 41-38—Winslow’s brilliance making it possible.

Winslow’s performance in Epic in Miami was even more impressive considering what he endured throughout the game. He repeatedly left the field due to dehydration and severe cramps. He also received treatment for a pinched nerve in his shoulder and even got three stitches in his lower lip.

After the game, the image of his exhausted body being helped off the field by teammates became one of the most iconic moments in NFL history. He embodied what it truly means to pour your heart, soul, and body into the game.

Winslow retired after the 1987 season. Throughout his career, he caught 541 passes for 6,741 yards, scoring 45 touchdowns.

Career Achievements

At the time Winslow retired, he ranked fifth among NFL active receivers and 14th among all the league’s pass-catchers. The five-time Pro Bowler earned three First-team All-Pro selections and one Second-team All-Pro honor.

He is a member of the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. He is an inductee of the Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame and has had his No. 80 Jersey retired.

Winslow was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

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