The 50 Greatest Miami Hurricanes Football Players: #50 Kellen Winslow Jr.

Kellen Winslow Jr. came to Miami in 2001 backing up All-American Tight End Jeremy Shockey.  The Hurricanes won the National Title that year, and Winslow became the starter.  He set single season records for a Miami Tight end with 57 catches for 726 yards and 8 touchdowns.  He was a two time All-American and left early for the NFL after his Junior season.  He was selected with the 6th pick in the first round by the Cleveland Browns.  He is best known for his “soldier” rant while he was at UM and his Motorcycle accident while he was with the Browns.

Unfortunately for Winslow the I am a soldier rant was in bad taste and ill timed.  He received national attention following a 2003 University of Miami loss to the University of Tennessee Volunteers. During a sweep play for Miami wide receiver/cornerback Devin Hester, Winslow blocked two Volunteers, effectively taking both defenders out of the play. Following the block, Winslow stood over both players and taunted injured Tennessee defensive back Corey Campbell. When questioned during the media session following the game, Winslow admitted that he had known Campbell was injured but did not care.  Then he proceeded to say he was a soldier and he would do anything for “The U”, that did not go over well with the country entrenched in a war overseas.

Winslow is currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

This Excerpt Taken from (http://www.kellenwinslow.org):

“One of the finest tight ends to ever suit up in the storied Miami Hurricanes history…Has the same fiery nature and athletic ability that his father, Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow, Sr., showed during his glorious career with the San Diego Chargers…Two-year starter caught 119 passes for 1,365 yards (11.5 avg.) and 9 TDs in 38 games…His 119 catches rank fifth on the school’s career-record list and were the most ever by a Miami tight end.”

Bio:

Attended Scripps Ranch (San Diego, Calif.) High…One of the nation’s most highly regarded all-around players who played extensively at three different positions (receiver, tight end and defensive end) during his career…Caught 45 passes for 800 yards and 9 TDs in his senior season of 2000…Made 32 catches for 600 yards and 13 TDs as a junior in 1999…Collected 115 tackles, 8 sacks and 5 recovered fumbles, in addition to 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles as a senior on defense…Named his conference’s Defensive Player-of-the-Year in 2000…Also punted and kicked off on special teams as a senior…Averaged 39 yards on 36 punts as a senior (one of his punts traveled 85 yards)…Made three of five field goal attempts, including a 35-yarder, and was 10-of-12 on conversion kicks…Recorded 32 tackles and 13 sacks with 3 recovered fumbles and 1 interception on defense in 1999…Rated the No. 41 prospect, regardless of position, in California by Super Prep…Rated the No. 6 “Jumbo Athlete” in the nation by Super Prep in the summer of 2000…Honor roll student…Open major…Son of Kellen Winslow and Katrina Ramsey…Father is an NFL Hall of Fame tight end, a former San Diego Chargers and University of Missouri star, who currently is a motivational speaker and television sports analyst…Uncle, David Winslow, played college basketball at Northeast Missouri State and professionally in Australia…Born Kellen Boswell Winslow II on July 21, 1983…Resides in San Diego, Calif.

Here is a video of the Soldier Rant below: