Jeff Winans

Jeff Winans is a former professional American football player.

Born Jeff Dow Winans in Turlock, California on Oct. 12, 1951, Winans played for Turlock High and Modesto Junior College before transferring to USC.

While with the Trojans, he was a contributor to USC's perfect season of 1972, which culminated in a 42 to 17 victory over Ohio State in the Rose Bowl Game (1973).

For five seasons (1973, 1975 to 1978), he played at the guard, defensive end, tackle and defensive tackle positions in the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills, the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Selected by Buffalo during the 2nd-round of the 1973 NFL Draft, he appeared in 35 regular season games. During his years with the Bills, Winans served as a blocker for quarterback Joe Ferguson and running back O.J. Simpson.

After retiring from football, Winans' health rapidly declined as he endured an accidental gunshot wound which would require his right leg to be amputated below the knee. Additionally, he underwent numerous surgeries. His mental capacity deteriorated due to the head trauma he was subjected to during his football career.

He was formerly married to author and motivational speaker Brandi Winans, who penned an autobiography titled "The Flip Side of Glory" (2009), which recounted life with Jeff as his health declined. Jeff and Brandi fought vigorously for disability benefits from the NFL and helped draw attention to the devastating affects on former players. Like many players before him who suffered from long-range disabilities as a result of playing professional football, Winans' brain and spinal chord were donated to Boston University for medical research after his death in Turlock on Dec. 21, 2012.