Sammy Winder

Sammy Winder (born July 15, 1959) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL), spending his entire career with the Denver Broncos from 1982 to 1990. The son of a farmer, Winder played his high school football at Madison-Ridgeland High School in his hometown of Madison, Mississippi. Winder later played his collegiate football at The University of Southern Mississippi.

College career

Winder played for Southern Mississippi from 1978 to 1981, rushing for 3,114 yards and 39 touchdowns, both school records. He also caught 11 passes for 70 yards. In his junior season, he rushed for 996 yards and a nation-leading 20 touchdowns. As a senior, he rushed for a career-high 1,029 yards and 12 more scores.

Winder's teammates at Southern Mississippi included future NFL players Reggie Collier and Louis Lipps. In his final two seasons, the team won 9 games each year and went 1–1 in bowl games.

Professional career Winder was a two-time Pro Bowl selection (1984 and 1986), and was a key reason the Broncos appeared in three Super Bowls in the 1980s (falling to the New York Giants, Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers). In his 9 seasons, Winder rushed for 5,427 yards and 39 touchdowns, while also catching 197 passes for 1,302 yards and 9 touchdowns. He was known for a signature touchdown celebration he called the 'Mississippi Mud Walk'. During his final two seasons, Winder was demoted to the second running back on the depth chart behind Bobby Humphrey, the Broncos 1989 supplemental draft pick out of the University of Alabama.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles GP GS Att Yds Avg Y/G Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum FR 1982 DEN 8 2 67 259 3.9 32.4 18 1 11 83 7.5 22 0 1 1 1983 DEN 14 13 196 757 3.9 54.1 52 3 23 150 6.5 17 0 7 0 1984 DEN 16 15 296 1,153 3.9 72.1 24 4 44 288 6.5 21 2 5 2 1985 DEN 14 12 199 714 3.6 51.0 42 8 31 197 6.4 24 0 4 1 1986 DEN 16 15 240 789 3.3 49.3 31 9 26 171 6.6 20 5 2 1 1987 DEN 12 10 196 741 3.8 61.8 19 6 14 74 5.3 13 1 5 2 1988 DEN 16 12 149 543 3.6 33.9 35 4 17 103 6.1 14 1 1 0 1989 DEN 16 2 110 351 3.2 21.9 16 2 14 91 6.5 19 0 1 0 1990 DEN 15 2 42 120 2.9 8.0 19 2 17 145 8.5 17 0 2 0Career 127 83 1,495 5,427 3.6 42.7 52 39 197 1,302 6.6 24 9 28 7

After NFL career Winder is now in the construction business. He owns and runs his own company, Winder Construction, which he started while still playing for the Denver Broncos in 1987.