(Editor’s Note: This article was written by Kate Preziosi ’10)
Kellen Winslow Sr., former professional football player for the San Diego Chargers, spoke Wednesday night before a predominantly male audience in Love Auditorium about how sports taught him to deal with the challenges in life that he faced outside the stadium.
Winslow, who played in five Pro Bowl games during his distinguished career, explained that “through football I learned that I could go beyond what I thought was physically, mentally and spiritually impossible. Challenges will come to you in life, and you have to do what it takes to overcome.”
Winslow fielded questions about the greatest players he ever competed with (Chuck Muncie) and against (Lawrence Taylor), and also discussed relevant issues such as compensation for athletes.
“The media likes to say that a kid was ‘given’ a free education if he gets a scholarship to play ball in school. I take issue with that. These kids promise to play here, go to practice everyday, test their physical limits. It’s a contract, the definition of a job. A lot of you guys have an opportunity, and it’s your job to take advantage of that. But first and foremost, you have a responsibility to graduate.”
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| Kellen Winslow Sr. meets with students, faculty, and staff members Wednesday before his public lecture at Love Auditorium. (Photo by Andy Daddio) |
The Dean of the College office and the ALANA Cultural Center sponsored the lecture.
Charlotte Johnson, vice president and dean of the college, said that her division has been looking for ways to encourage participation in campus events among student athletes and men in general.
“Women were definitely in the minority in this audience,” said Johnson. “When do you see that happen at 51? I think he had a powerful message and it was great to see so many of the football players and (members of the student group) Brothers come out for it.”
Medvis Jackson ’11, a member of Brothers, was particularly struck by Winslow’s discussion of how sports can transcend different areas of a person’s life.
“It was interesting when he talked about earning your position in life, because sure we’re all given a couple of breaks here and there, but once you earn something with blood, sweat, and tears that’s something that can’t be taken away. That definitely translates to the classroom. Just like in football or basketball, you have to learn how to be dependable, and someone that people can count on.”