Kellen Winslow II facing life in prison

Kellen Winslow II, a former tight end for the Browns, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Patriots, and Jets is facing nine criminal charges, including kidnapping and rape, per TMZ. Winslow was arrested in San Diego last week for allegedly breaking into a mobile home and then a warrant was issued for him again on Thursday morning by the San Diego D.A.. It is not clear if the incidents are directly related.

The following charges are serious and may make some people understandably uneasy.

Winslow is facing charges of kidnapping with intent to commit rape, forcible rape, forcible sodomy, forcible oral copulation, residential burglary, and indecent exposure.

Winslow drew criticism for his behavior at the University of Miami before being selected with the sixth overall pick by Cleveland in 2004. He was traded to Tampa Bay in 2009 and signed an NFL record contract by a tight end. He was traded to Seattle in May of 2012 for a conditional late round pick, but the Seahawks released him just before the season. He spent barely more than a week on New England’s roster and no team showed notable interest in him for the rest of the season. Winslow last played for the Jets in 2013, appearing in 12 games.

He was charged with drug possession in early 2014.

This post is to inform you of a serious incident by a player who was semi-recently employed by the Seahawks and that will undoubtedly be in the news for months to come. It is not to incite any potentially divisive comments or discussions, so just keep that in mind before commenting. By all means, think three times before you hit ‘post.’