Former NFL tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. was arrested last week on suspicion of burglary at a mobile home park near San Diego. Winslow was allegedly spotted entering an unoccupied residence on Thursday by a neighbor, who called police after a brief confrontation outside the home. Winslow was arrested soon after and booked on one count of first degree burglary, per the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Winslow played for five different teams in 10 seasons in the NFL, made the Pro Bowl in 2007, and in 2009 signed what was then the largest contract for a tight end in NFL history, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A report of him burglarizing a mobile home in 2018 is, hmm, surprising? As is reflected in this statement from his publicist, per the Union-Tribune report:
“Mr. Winslow emphatically denies committing any burglary. He would have no need to burglarize or steal anything from anyone at a trailer park. He looks forward to being vindicated once this matter is fully investigated and adjudicated through the court system.”
Winslow’s representatives gave a different and depressingly plausible-seeming version of events this weekend: Winslow—a very large black man—says he was house-hunting for his mother-in-law when he was confronted by “an over reactive neighbor” while walking around, and that the house in question is actually owned by “friends who attend church with his wife.” Winslow’s spokesperson reportedly said the owner of the home confirmed that Winslow never entered the house, and that nothing was taken.
Winslow reportedly spent five hours in a North County Jail Thursday night before posting his $50,000 bail. He reportedly has a court appearance scheduled for Monday.