San Diego Chargers: Kellen Winslow Sr. Honored as "Hometown Hall of Famer"

At 2:00 p.m. EST today, Kellen Winslow Sr. will be recognized by Allstate Insurance Company and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in East St. Louis as part of the "Hometown Hall of Famers," a program focused on honoring the hometowns of football's greatest players.

"The Hall of Fame is partnering with Allstate Insurance Company to go back into the hometowns of the members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and put something that memorializes the fact that they went to that high school and attended that recreation center," Winslow said.

"In many ways, you can look at it as an extension of the Hall of Fame, bringing it to the hometown of the Hall of Famer. You've got that permanent display in Canton and now something that's reflective of that in the hometown. It really is mind-blowing."

Winslow will receive a plaque that will be on display permanently in the gymnasium at East St. Louis High School. Additionally, Winslow will have a commemorative "Hometown Hall of Famer" road sign on display in East St. Louis.

Winslow said, "I owe everything to my beginnings in St. Louis and it's a debt you can never repay. You can never say thank you enough. The fact that they are willing to do this for me makes it even more special."

The presentation at East St. Louis High School will be made by David Winslow, Kellen's younger brother.

"It's going to be an emotional time for me. David's a very emotional person and I'm a very emotional person," Winslow stated.

Winslow was a five-time Pro Bowl selection at tight end for the San Diego Chargers. Winslow played for the Chargers from 1979 to 1987.

Winslow's most memorable performance took place during the 1981 playoffs against the Miami Dolphins, when he caught a playoff-record 13 passes for 166 yards and blocked a field goal with four seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime.

Winslow finished his nine-year career with 541 receptions, 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

The eight other recipients of the "Hometown Hall of Famer" honor are: Howie Long, Sonny Jurgenson, Joe Namath, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Roger Staubach, George Halas and Bart Starr.