Winslow Has Plenty to Say in Induction Speech : Football: Former Charger tight end uses Hall of Fame platform. Largent, Selmon, Finks, Jordan are also honored.

CANTON, Ohio —  Steve Largent was elected to the House of Representatives last fall, but it was another honoree who made the political statement Saturday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

Kellen Winslow, the prototype tight end for the San Diego Chargers, blasted opponents of affirmative action and challenged African Americans to make their own opportunities.

The 15-minute segment of his acceptance speech dealing with affirmative action was met by polite but sporadic applause from an overflow crowd that included Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich of Georgia.

Gingrich, seated in the first row in front of the hall’s steps, sat impassively through Winslow’s speech.

Winslow and Largent, a record-setting wide receiver with the Seattle Seahawks, were joined in the 1995 class by Tampa Bay defensive end Lee Roy Selmon, team administrator Jim Finks and Green Bay Packer defensive tackle Henry Jordan.

“After less than 30 years of a policy that has a proper goal of attempting to include those who have been excluded for so long, the powers that be have declared it no longer necessary,” Winslow said of an affirmative action policy that is under fire by Gingrich and others.

“To these people, I say take off your robes, leave your ivory towers and Congressional halls and walk the streets of America today. Look into the eyes of the various minorities--Native Americans, African Americans, women, Hispanics, Asians and so on--and tell them that in spite of the odds before them . . . that they can overcome these odds because now the playing field is level.”

Gingrich said later in the day that he intended to contact Winslow this week and arrange a meeting to discuss affirmative action.

“I was not uncomfortable with it,” Gingrich said. “I’m a very controversial person because I speak my piece. And I respect someone who has the courage to speak their piece.”

Gingrich was a guest of Largent, a freshman Congressman from Oklahoma.

Largent retired in 1989 with six major receiving records, including 819 receptions for 13,089 yards and 100 touchdown catches.

Jordan spent two uneventful years as a backup with the Cleveland Browns, then was traded to the Packers where he played defensive tackle for 11 years. Over that period, Green Bay won five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls.

He died suddenly of a heart attack at 42 in 1977.

Finks, the administrator who turned around struggling programs at Minnesota, Chicago and New Orleans, died in 1994 of cancer.

Selmon had 78 1/2 sacks and was selected for the Pro Bowl six times during a nine-year career.

Winslow redefined the tight end position, catching 541 passes for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns during his nine years with the Chargers.