# Chet Winters

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{{Short description|American football player (born 1960)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name          = Chet Winters
| position      = [Running back](/source/Running_back)
| number        = 20
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1960|10|22}}
| birth_place   = [Chicago, Illinois](/source/Chicago%2C_Illinois), US
| death_date    =
| death_place   = 
| height_ft     = 5
| height_in     = 11
| weight_lbs    = 205
| high_school   = [Jacksonville](/source/Jacksonville_High_School_(Arkansas)) {{nowrap|([Jacksonville, Arkansas](/source/Jacksonville%2C_Arkansas))}}
| college       = [Oklahoma](/source/Oklahoma_Sooners_football) (1979–1982)
| undraftedyear = 1983
| pastteams     =
*[Pittsburgh Steelers](/source/Pittsburgh_Steelers) ({{NFL Year|1983}})*
*[Green Bay Packers](/source/Green_Bay_Packers) ({{NFL Year|1983|1984}})
*[New Jersey Generals](/source/New_Jersey_Generals) ({{USFL Year|1985}})*
| statlabel1    = Kick returns
| statvalue1    = 3
| statlabel2    = Return yards
| statvalue2    = 28
| pfr           = WintCh20 
}}
'''Chester''' "'''Chet'''" '''Winters''' (born October 22, 1960) is an American former professional [football](/source/American_football) player who was a [running back](/source/running_back) in the [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League) (NFL). He played [college football](/source/college_football) for the [Oklahoma Sooners](/source/Oklahoma_Sooners_football) and later was a member of the NFL's [Pittsburgh Steelers](/source/Pittsburgh_Steelers) and [Green Bay Packers](/source/Green_Bay_Packers), as well as the [New Jersey Generals](/source/New_Jersey_Generals) of the [United States Football League](/source/United_States_Football_League) (USFL).

==Early life==
Winters was born on October 22, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WintCh20.htm|website=[Pro-Football-Reference.com](/source/Pro-Football-Reference.com)|title=Chet Winters Stats|access-date=March 28, 2018|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419195905/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WintCh20.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He attended [Jacksonville High School](/source/Jacksonville_High_School_(Arkansas)) in [Arkansas](/source/Arkansas) and is one of only six of their alumni ever to make it to the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93bcb358|website=[Pro-Football-Reference.com](/source/Pro-Football-Reference.com)|title=Jacksonville (Jacksonville, AR) Alumni Pro Stats|access-date=September 17, 2023|archive-date=June 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609131407/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93bcb358|url-status=live}}</ref> He was considered one of the best [running back](/source/running_back)s in the state and was selected to [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press)' Arkansas "Super Team" as a [senior](/source/Senior_(education)) in 1978, after having helped Jacksonville win the Class AAAA championship.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune/131920900/|newspaper=[Casper Star-Tribune](/source/Casper_Star-Tribune)|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=February 22, 1979|page=12|title=Sooners tab 14|agency=[United Press International](/source/United_Press_International)|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921143530/https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune/131920900/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-world/131921354/|newspaper=[The Daily World](/source/The_Daily_World_(Arkansas))|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=December 18, 1978|page=5|title=Arkansas High School Super team|agency=[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press)|author=King, Harry|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921143620/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-world/131921354/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> Winters totaled over 2,000 rushing yards and 36 [touchdown](/source/touchdown)s in his time at Jacksonville.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/indiana-gazette/131923730/|newspaper=[Indiana Gazette](/source/Indiana_Gazette)|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=August 3, 1983|page=17|title=Winters, Williams drawing stares at Steeler camp|author=Wesley, Tim|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921143556/https://www.newspapers.com/article/indiana-gazette/131923730/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> He committed to play [college football](/source/college_football) for the [Oklahoma Sooners](/source/Oklahoma_Sooners_football).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman/131922710/|newspaper=[The Daily Oklahoman](/source/The_Daily_Oklahoman)|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=February 22, 1979|page=41|title=24 Join Sooners; Pokes Corral 14|author=Guymon, J. Carl|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921143531/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman/131922710/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==College career==
As a true [freshman](/source/freshman) at the [University of Oklahoma](/source/University_of_Oklahoma) in 1979, Winters was behind [Billy Sims](/source/Billy_Sims) in rushing priority and ran 16 times for 123 yards (a 7.7 average) and two touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal/131922870/|newspaper=[The Salina Journal](/source/The_Salina_Journal)|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=September 4, 1980|page=15|title=Winters has opportunity to shake Sims' shadow|author=Kelly, Bob|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921143606/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal/131922870/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> After Sims graduated, Winters saw more playing time in the 1980 season, although behind [David Overstreet](/source/David_Overstreet), recording 79 rush attempts for 370 yards and four touchdowns, as Oklahoma won the conference championship with a 10–2 record.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/chet-winters-1.html?__hstc=223721476.e66b9b23ec10546534c8ef0f4baf3c2a.1694730108228.1694899810752.1694910670975.15&__hssc=223721476.1.1694910670975&__hsfp=3043613678|website=[Sports Reference](/source/Sports_Reference)|title=Chet Winters College Stats|access-date=September 17, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921144035/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/chet-winters-1.html?__hstc=223721476.e66b9b23ec10546534c8ef0f4baf3c2a.1694730108228.1694899810752.1694910670975.15&__hssc=223721476.1.1694910670975&__hsfp=3043613678|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/oklahoma/1980.html|website=[Sports Reference](/source/Sports_Reference)|title=1980 Oklahoma Sooners Stats|access-date=September 17, 2023|archive-date=December 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208204451/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/oklahoma/1980.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette/131923557/|newspaper=[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](/source/Pittsburgh_Post-Gazette)|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=August 1, 1983|page=13|title=Roster battles tell the score|author=Smizik, Bob|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921144046/https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette/131923557/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref>

Winters saw limited action in his final two seasons behind [Buster Rhymes](/source/Buster_Rhymes) and then [Marcus Dupree](/source/Marcus_Dupree), only having 140 rushing yards and no touchdowns in 1981 and just 60 yards with no scores in 1982.<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press/131923631/|newspaper=[The Pittsburgh Press](/source/The_Pittsburgh_Press)|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=July 22, 1983|page=27|title=Steeler Rookie coming out of the shadows|author=Clayton, John|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921144037/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press/131923631/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> Having been behind others in rushing priority for his entire stint at Oklahoma, Winters finished his collegiate career having rushed 144 times for 693 yards (a 4.8 average) with seven touchdowns. He also recorded four catches for 57 yards.<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto"/>

==Professional career==
After going unselected in the [1983 NFL draft](/source/1983_NFL_draft), Winters was signed by the [Pittsburgh Steelers](/source/Pittsburgh_Steelers) as an [undrafted free agent](/source/Free_agent).<ref name="auto1"/> He led the team in rushing in their first preseason game and finished the preseason with 32 carries for 102 yards, but ultimately was released during roster cuts.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle/131924033/|newspaper=[Spokane Chronicle](/source/Spokane_Chronicle)|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=August 31, 1983|page=24|title=Transactions|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921144044/https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle/131924033/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent/131925125/|newspaper=[The Post-Crescent](/source/The_Post-Crescent)|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=October 29, 1983|page=9|title=Ivery on non-football illness list|author=McGinn, Bob|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921144050/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent/131925125/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref>

Winters tried out for the [New York Giants](/source/New_York_Giants) the month after his release and near the end of October had a tryout with the [Green Bay Packers](/source/Green_Bay_Packers).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record/131925017/|newspaper=[The Record](/source/The_Record_(North_Jersey))|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=September 13, 1983|page=53|title=Notebook|author=DiTrani, Vinny|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921144544/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record/131925017/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/portage-daily-register/131925062/|newspaper=[Portage Daily Register](/source/Portage_Daily_Register)|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=October 29, 1983|page=7|title=Ivery out Winters in?|agency=[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press)|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921144544/https://www.newspapers.com/article/portage-daily-register/131925062/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> He was signed by the Packers after his tryout as a replacement for [Eddie Lee Ivery](/source/Eddie_Lee_Ivery), who was placed on the reserve list.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer/131925296/|newspaper=[The Cincinnati Enquirer](/source/The_Cincinnati_Enquirer)|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=October 30, 1983|page=33|author=Dodd, Mike|title=Infantry May Be A Force For Bengals|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921144545/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer/131925296/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> He made his NFL debut in the Packers' 35–21 win over the [Cleveland Browns](/source/Cleveland_Browns) in week 10 and appeared in three further games in the season.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WintCh20/gamelog/|website=[Pro-Football-Reference.com](/source/Pro-Football-Reference.com)|title=Chet Winters Career Game Log|access-date=September 17, 2023|archive-date=April 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401231214/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WintCh20/gamelog/|url-status=live}}</ref> He had his only touches in a week 12 loss to the [Detroit Lions](/source/Detroit_Lions), having three [kickoff](/source/Kickoff_(gridiron_football)) returns for 28 yards.<ref name="auto3"/> He was released by the Packers in July 1984.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star/131926011/|newspaper=[Arizona Daily Star](/source/Arizona_Daily_Star)|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=July 20, 1984|page=17|title=Transactions|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921144546/https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star/131926011/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref>

Winters signed with the [New Jersey Generals](/source/New_Jersey_Generals) of the [United States Football League](/source/United_States_Football_League) (USFL) in October 1984; the team had previously selected him in the [1983 USFL Territorial Draft](/source/1983_USFL_Territorial_Draft).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-news/131926066/|newspaper=[The Courier-News](/source/The_Courier-News)|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=October 12, 1984|page=15|title=Generals sign three|agency=[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press)|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921144547/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-news/131926066/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerw/wint01000.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Chet Winters Stats|access-date=September 17, 2023|archive-date=May 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501212740/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerw/wint01000.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He did not make the final roster.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/manitowoc-herald-times/131926167/|newspaper=[Manitowoc Herald-Times](/source/Manitowoc_Herald-Times)|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|date=February 12, 1985|page=12|title=Transactions|access-date=September 19, 2023|archive-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921144546/https://www.newspapers.com/article/manitowoc-herald-times/131926167/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Winters, Chet}}
Category:1960 births
Winters, Chet
Category:Players of American football from Chicago
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:American football running backs
Category:Jacksonville High School (Arkansas) alumni
Category:Oklahoma Sooners football players
Category:20th-century American sportsmen

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chet Winters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chet_Winters) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chet_Winters?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.