Number 68 on the NFL Network’s “Top 100” is Mike Webster, center. Webster died at the young age of 50. He arguably was the best center who ever lived and played in 150 straight games for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and was part of the four-Super Bowl Steelers’ dynasty.
Mike Webster was drafted by the Steelers in 1974 out of Wisconsin. He was picked 125th in the fifth round and played 245 games in 17 seasons. He left Pittsburgh having played more games (220) and more seasons (15) than any other Pittsburgh player. He played his final two seasons at Kansas City.
Webster played in nine Pro-Bowls and was All-Pro seven times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997. Terry Bradshaw introduced him.
Number 67 on the NFL Network’s “Top 100” is Kellen Winslow, who was a tight end who altered the way tight ends were and could be used. Winslow was drafted out of Missouri in 1979. He was the 13th player picked in the first round by the San Diego Chargers, and was a major cog in Don Coryell’s “Air Coryell” West Coast Offense, which features a wide-open passing game. Sadly, Coryell died just this past July.
Winslow was taken by the Chargers and put in the backfield or off the line and split in order to get the 6’5″ player down the field on much smaller defensive backs or slower linebackers.
Kellen Winslow battled injuries his entire career, which spanned nine seasons (all with the Chargers) and incorporated 109 games. Winslow has a fan ranking of 69 and is the first player viewed essentially the same by pundits and fans alike.
Winslow was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995 with a career record of 541 catches for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns; that was extremely good for such a short career. Further, he was featured in five Pro-Bowls.
Kellen Winslow’s signature game came in a 1981 in a playoff win against the Miami Dolphins, where he caught 13 passes for one touchdown and blocked what would have been the game-winning field goal.
The video of him being helped off the field after the game is one of the classic NFL memories.
Reference:
NFL Network Website, “Mike Webster”
Hall of Fame Website, “Mike Webster”
You Tube Website, “NFL Films Top 100 Greatest Players #68 Mike Webster-HD, HQ
NFL Network Website, “Kellen Winslow”
Hall of Fame Website,”Kellen Winslow”
You Tube Website, “NFL Films Top 100 Greatest Players #67 Kellen Winslow”
