Tag Archives: kellen winslow

College Football HoF, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Winslow Sr., Kellen

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 9/22 RECEIVED: 10/15 (23 days)
* Fee Enclosed

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Kellen Winslow played TE for the Missouri Tigers from 1975-78.
  • Concluded college career with 71 catches, 1,089 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
  • First round pick of the San Diego Chargers in 1979.
  • He’d become a catalyst for the Air Coryell offense and lead the NFL in catches in both 1980 (89) and ’81 (88).
  • His 89 reception in 1980, shattered the record previously held by HoFer Mike Ditka.
  • Caught 5 TDs in a single game, tying the NFL record in ’81.
  • Put together perhaps one of the finest post season single game performances, catching 13 passes for 166 yards (TD), and blocking a FG to send it to OT in ‘The Epic’ at Miami.
  • Had a career high 1,183 yards and 88 catches in 1983.
  • Played for the Chargers through 1987, retiring after the season.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Bowl 1980-’83, ’87
  • All-Pro 1980-’82
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • #73 Greatest Football Players of All-Time (Sporting News)
  • NFL 1980s All-Time Team
  • NFL 75th Anniversary Team
  • NFL 100th Anniversary Team
  • College Football Hall of Fame
  • San Diego Chargers #80- Retired
  • San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame

NOTES:

It can not be understated how much Winslow had an effect on the pro game. Tight ends during the 70s had become almost an afterthought during the Dead Ball Era. Winslow revolutionized the position, breaking Ditkas catch record, and had 2 back to back 1,000 yard seasons, and later a 3rd- something forgotten about since the 60s.

Winslow was always on my short list of players I might not ever get, so when he popped up, I wrote this letter and pretty much had this card in the mail to him the next day. I added a donation to grease the wheels, and he gladly signed it, adding the HOF inscription.

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