By Darin 
Today, November 5th, we celebrate the birth of Kellen Winslow, a player whose athleticism was so revolutionary that he essentially invented the modern role of the pass-catching tight end. Before Winslow, the position was primarily reserved for blocking; after him, it became an indispensable vertical threat. This Pro and College Football Hall of Famer didn’t just play the position—he redefined it at every level, transforming how offenses utilize the middle of the field.
Legacy of Number 80
November 5, 1957 – St. Louis, Missouri – Kellen Winslow, a tight end from the University of Missouri, was born. According to his bio on mutigers.com, Winslow redefined the tight end position at the collegiate and professional levels during his playing career. At MU, he caught 71 passes for 1,089 yards and 10 TDs from 1976-78, earning all-Big Eight honors in 1977 and ’78, and consensus all-America status as a senior.
The powers that be at the National Football Foundation invited Kellen Winslow into their College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. Winslow was a first-round pick by the San Diego Chargers in the 1979 NFL draft. While playing for San Diego, he caught more passes than any tight end in league history from 1979-88 with 541 catches for 6741 yards and 45 touchdowns. He also played in 5 Pro Bowls. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Kellen in 1995. (source)
Accolades and Accomplishments
- Pioneering Tight End: Kellen Winslow is widely credited with redefining the tight end position at both the collegiate and professional levels, prioritizing speed and receiving prowess over traditional blocking roles.
- Collegiate Star: While at the University of Missouri (MU) from 1976–1978, he caught 71 passes for 1,089 yards and 10 touchdowns.
- All-American Status: He earned All-Big Eight honors in 1977 and 1978, capping his college career with Consensus All-America status as a senior.
- NFL Draft: Winslow was the first-round pick of the San Diego Chargers in the 1979 NFL Draft.
- NFL Record Setter: During his NFL career (1979–1988), he caught 541 passes for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns, catching more passes than any tight end in league history during that span.
- Pro Bowl Selections: He was selected to five Pro Bowls.
- Hall of Fame Honors: Winslow was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.