THE SIX KINGS Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 Winslow Sr.: 'He's not a piece of property' Associated Press INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Injured Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow II made his first public appearance since his motorcycle crash, and his father used the occasion Friday night to lambaste the media for its coverage of the accident. The 21-year-old Winslow tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee when he wrecked his high-powered motorcycle May 1 while doing tricks in a secluded parking lot near his home. He will miss all of next season. Winslow II, who missed 14 games as a rookie with a broken right leg, will undergo surgery in the next few weeks. Shortly after arriving at an auction and roast celebrating the Browns' 1964 NFL championship team, the former first-round pick, who didn't limp, said he didn't want to talk to waiting reporters. "No," he said politely. "I'm good." Kellen Winslow Sr., who drove his son to the event and escorted him into the hotel, initially said he would not comment, either. However, a few hours later, the Hall of Famer changed his mind. The former San Diego Chargers star angrily accused the media of turning the younger Winslow's accident and recovery into a spectacle. "I'm disappointed in the way you guys have handled it. Twenty-one-year-old people make mistakes," he said. "He made a mistake. You made it a circus. Remember when you were 21? A human being at 21 makes mistakes. He's not a piece of property." Winslow Sr. was asked if he expected his son to make a full recovery. "It's a long career," he said. "I played nine years in the National Football League. Technically, I played six years -- two strikes, two major injuries and I came out OK. We look at it as a long-term career. "You guys look at it as a moment in time and you blow it out of proportion. This Jerry Springer mentality of journalism, you guys are better than that. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Presidents make mistakes. Senators make mistakes. Journalists, if you still call yourselves that, make mistakes." As his father was speaking in the hallway, Kellen Winslow II was inside the ballroom listening to a speech by Hall of Fame Browns running back Jim Brown. Because Winslow II breached a "dangerous activities" clause in his contract by getting hurt while riding a motorcycle, the Browns may try to recoup some of the bonus money they have paid him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spain Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 Winslow Sr. also didnt want his son to attend the Univ of Miami because they didnt have a black head coach... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelBunz Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 Kellen Winslow Sr., who drove his son to the event and escorted him into the hotel, initially said he would not comment, either. However, a few hours later, the Hall of Famer changed his mind. 832038[/snapback] I wonder if that was after a few martinis at the event.....lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 I'm beginning to see where the young "soldier" gets his attitude! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackshi17 Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 "You guys look at it as a moment in time and you blow it out of proportion. This Jerry Springer mentality of journalism, you guys are better than that. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Presidents make mistakes. Senators make mistakes. Journalists, if you still call yourselves that, make mistakes." 832038[/snapback] I guess those moments in time where he was selected in the first round and his signing his multi million contract were not blown out of proportion. You can't have it both ways Dad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godtomsatan Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 I guess those moments in time where he was selected in the first round and his signing his multi million contract were not blown out of proportion.You can't have it both ways Dad! 832220[/snapback] When the "journalist" accused Winslow of "creating a circus" I nearly spit. What difference does it make if the guy was drafted or if he signed a contract for the league minimum? Doesn't change the fact that he's a 23 yr old who made a mistake that will cost him severely. For crying out loud it's not like he just got out of three months in a Federal Penitentiary or something. Why anyone gives this case any kind of attention is beyond my understanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glabra Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 What difference does it make if the guy was drafted or if he signed a contract for the league minimum? Doesn't change the fact that he's a 23 yr old who made a mistake that will cost him severely. For crying out loud it's not like he just got out of three months in a Federal Penitentiary or something. 832228[/snapback] His earlier antics and attitude haven't exactly endeared him to the public and the media. Had this happened to a Philip Rivers or a Roy Williams, you wouldn't have seen this level of backlash and lack of sympathy IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTen Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 (edited) What I cannot understand is the fact that Winslow is what 23 and his father is still doing the talking for him. I especially liked when he called out the journalist and told him to act professional Edited June 5, 2005 by BigTen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrGameTime Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 I feel sorry for Senior because JR is really not showing up! Too much talk and no action! the motorcycle thing is another story but all I can say is if he every becomes half of his Dad the browns will be GOOD!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedroz13 Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 A few reasons why the media is quick to jump on this kid....and Sr. needs to understand this: 1 -- The 'soldier' incident. Doesn't fly well, its pretty clear that sports and war terminology don't sit well with the media or the general public. Look at Kevin Garnett's remarks in the playoffs last year as an example. 2 -- The fact that he makes more money than Tony Gonzalez and that he wanted #1 overall pick money because a lot of boards had him as #1. 3 -- Miami players basically have a bullseye on their chest coming into the NFL. 4 -- I believe he stated that he will be the best TE the game has ever seen or something similar (can anyone back me up on this? I may be wrong). When you say things like that as a rookie, people expect results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jrick35 Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 A few reasons why the media is quick to jump on this kid....and Sr. needs to understand this: 1 -- The 'soldier' incident. Doesn't fly well, its pretty clear that sports and war terminology don't sit well with the media or the general public. Look at Kevin Garnett's remarks in the playoffs last year as an example. 2 -- The fact that he makes more money than Tony Gonzalez and that he wanted #1 overall pick money because a lot of boards had him as #1. 3 -- Miami players basically have a bullseye on their chest coming into the NFL. 4 -- I believe he stated that he will be the best TE the game has ever seen or something similar (can anyone back me up on this? I may be wrong). When you say things like that as a rookie, people expect results. 832587[/snapback] Exactly, this kid and his Dad made his entry into the NFL a circus, a circus that Dad & son both believe was justified. Now that the media and fans in general have decided to make a circus out of what the son has done, the Dad feels it is not justified. The simple truth is, yes Winslow the II made a simple, youth motivated mistake, that normally wouldn't even make the papers, had a "normal" person done it. But thanks to Winslow the II's actions both prior to and since joing the NFL, he is not a "normal" person. He has, by his own words and actions, made himself a very deserving target of criticism. Now is not the time for Dad or son to come out with guns blazing. Now is the time for them both to eat a little crow and admit that it is time for Winslow the II to grow the heck up and take responsibility for his mistakes and try, just try, to act like he gives half a crap about his team. Because that is who he is hurting the worst through all of this and his teammates do not deserve it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charty Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 "I played nine years in the National Football League. Technically, I played six years" That is the funny part, so JR has now missed years 1 and 2, so going by your math, he has 4 more years in the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinL Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Winslows run into coverage Monday, June 06, 2005 Roger Brown Plain Dealer Columnist Pro Football Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow Sr., father of injured Browns tight end Kel len Winslow Jr., recently gave the local media a tongue-lashing over its coverage of his son's reckless, career-risking motorcycle accident - one that will keep Winslow Jr. out for the entire 2005 season. Local media types suggested much blame lies with the Winslows and their poor handling of the controversy. "The Winslows may think we're too aggressive covering this story, but they should face reality: This is big news in Cleveland," said Steve Doerr, news director at Channel 19. Recently, Channel 19 lead sports anchor Chuck Galeti had a confrontation with Winslow Sr., one that led Winslow Sr. to call Galeti "little man" - and ban him from an interview session. Another local official, who requested anonymity, also suggested the Winslows could ease tension over Kellen Jr.'s recent coverage. "The whole temperature would cool down tremendously if Kellen Jr. would just talk about the accident, which he keeps refusing to do," the official said. "The fans and media in Cleveland are pretty forgiving if you just speak up and explain you messed up," the official added. "But they aren't forgiving when you act like you're too good to give an explanation. That's what Kellen [Jr.] keeps doing." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackass Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Similar incident with Jay Williams in the NBA; His injury was career ending and the media gave him sympathy mixed in with some criticism. It seems like Winslow's background has set him up for more criticism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedroz13 Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 What really bothers me about this type of thing (especially because its hot shot Kellen) is that he's going to come out at some point, probably with poppa hot shot next to him, and say how sorry he is and that he is going to learn from his mistakes. Because of what happned to him, I don't see this as learning anything. Learning from a mistake would be if he rode his bike, did wheelies, tricks, whatever, wasn't hurt....but had a sit down afterwards from someone (daddy, agent, coach, whoever) and realized what is at stake and sold the bike the next day. Hurting yourself where you could have killed yourself, costing your team an entire season without a first round pick, and costing yourself millions of dollars doesn't constitute learning from a mistake in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Swerski Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Winslow Sr. also didnt want his son to attend the Univ of Miami because they didnt have a black head coach... 832041[/snapback] Kellen Sr. is a complete jackass and his son's behavior is a clear reflection of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vet Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Kellen Sr. is a complete jackass and his son's behavior is a clear reflection of that. 832913[/snapback] I guess that means Swerski Jr. will be a jackass too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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