Kellen Winslow
One of the marquis pass-catching tight ends in the history of both college and professional football, Kellen Winslow is frequently credited with redefining the position of tight end.
Winslow's rise to legendary status began at the University of Missouri. Blessed with size, speed and great athletic ability, at 6-5 and 250 pounds, he changed the way the tight end position was used. A three-year letter winner, he totaled 71 receptions, 1,089 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, shattering receiving records during his time in Columbia.
A consensus All-America in 1978, Winslow helped guide the Tigers to three winning seasons and a Liberty Bowl victory his senior year. Twice named to the All-Big 8 Conference team, he was selected as conference Male Athlete of the Year in 1978 and made appearances in the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl.
In 1979, Winslow was selected by the San Diego Chargers with the 13th overall choice in the first round of the NFL draft. He got off to a quick start as a rookie with 25 catches before being sidelined by a knee injury. He returned in 1980 with a career-high 89 receptions for 1,290 yards.
Winslow's most memorable performance occurred in 1981, in the Chargers 41-38 overtime playoff victory over Miami, when he caught 13 passes for 166 yards and blocked a field goal with four seconds to play to send the game into overtime. During the game he was treated for a pinched nerve in his shoulder, dehydration, severe cramps and received three stitches in his lower lip. After the game, a picture of Winslow being helped off the field by his teammate became an enduring image in NFL lore.
A second-knee injury forced him to miss 17 games in 1984 and 1985. But he returned to his old form late in 1985 and 1986, earning his fifth Pro Bowl berth following the 1987 season. A knee injury suffered in the 12th game in 1987 eventually forced his retirement. In nine NFL seasons with the Chargers (1979-87), Winslow caught 541 receptions for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns, fifth among active retrievers and 14th among all NFL pass-catchers.
Winslow's success and accomplishments on the field have carried over into the business arena as well. Today, he serves as the Director of Planning and New Event Business Development for Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida where he is responsible for developing the business strategy for this multi-million dollar facility. He has also served as an analyst for Fox Sports Net College football Saturday Studio Show, provided color commentary for NFL broadcasts on CBS Radio, ESPN College Football and for the University of Missouri Football. Winslow is a member of the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.