T / OL
Winston Hill
Class of 2020
Games
198
Pro Bowls
8
Seasons
15
“The pride in the individual is what makes him perform. I don’t think a captain, or anyone else, can put something there that’s not there.”
Winston Hill, a 6’4”, 270-pound tackle, was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 11th round of the National Football League Draft but signed as a free agent with the American Football League’s New York Jets where he spent 14 of his 15-season career. Hill was a standout from Texas Southern who went on to have an extremely successful career in professional football.
Hill possessed durability, size and strength which helped him to become a dominant tackle. He is noted as one of the game’s best pass protectors. Hill was an integral leader of the offensive line that blocked for Joe Namath, pro football’s first 4,000-yard passer. Hill’s final season, 1977, was spent with the Los Angeles Rams.
Hill helped the Jets to back-to-back division titles in 1968 and 1969 and started at left tackle in Jets’ upset of the Colts in Super Bowl III when Namath “guaranteed” their victory.
At the time of his retirement, Hill held Jets’ records for most consecutive career games (195) and consecutive starts (174). He was named All-Pro and All-AFL in 1969, Second-Team All-AFL three times and Second-Team All-NFL three times. Additionally, Hill received All-AFC honors five straight seasons (1970-74), was voted to the first AFL All-Star Game during his second season, elected to eight AFL All-Star Games/Pro Bowls (five as left tackle, three at right tackle) and named to All-Time AFL Team (Second Team). He passed away on April 26, 2016 at the age of 74.
Career Statistics
Games Played:
1963 N.Y. Jets............................... 13
1964 N.Y. Jets............................... 13
1965 N.Y. Jets............................... 14
1966 N.Y. Jets............................... 14
1967 N.Y. Jets............................... 14
1968 N.Y. Jets............................... 14
1969 N.Y. Jets............................... 14
1970 N.Y. Jets............................... 14
1971 N.Y. Jets............................... 14
1972 N.Y. Jets............................... 14
1973 N.Y. Jets............................... 14
1974 N.Y. Jets............................... 14
1975 N.Y. Jets............................... 14
1976 N.Y. Jets............................... 14
1977 Los Angeles............................. 3
Career Total................................. 198
Championship Games
1968 AFL – New York Jets 27, Oakland Raiders 23
Hill started at left tackle.
Super Bowls
Super Bowl III – New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7
Hill started at left tackle.
All-League Teams
All-Pro: 1969 (NEA)
All-AFL: 1969 (NEA, SN, N.Y.)
All-AFL Second Team: 1964 (NEA) · 1968 (N.Y., SN) · 1969 (AP, UPI)
All-NFL Second Team: 1970 (PFWA, NEA) · 1971 (NEA) · 1972 (PFWA, NEA)
All-AFC: 1970 (AP, UPI, SN) · 1971 (UPI) · 1972 (AP, UPI, SN) · 1973 (UPI, SN, PW) · 1974 (UPI, PW)
Pro Bowls
(8) – 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974
Team Records
Jets records held by Hill
(Records through the 1976 season, Hill’s final season with New York)
· [1st] Most Games, Career – 195
· [1st] Most Consecutive Games, Career – 195
· [1st] Most Consecutive Starts, Career – 174
Year-by-Year Team Records
1963 New York Jets..................... 5-8-1 (4th)
1964 New York Jets..................... 5-8-1 (3rd)
1965 New York Jets..................... 5-8-1 (2nd)
1966 New York Jets..................... 6-6-2 (3rd)
1967 New York Jets..................... 8-5-1 (2nd)
1968 New York Jets.................. 11-3-0 (1st)
1969 New York Jets.................. 10-4-0 (1st)
1970 New York Jets................... 4-10-0 (3rd)
1971 New York Jets..................... 6-8-0 (4th)
1972 New York Jets..................... 7-7-0 (2nd)
1973 New York Jets................... 4-10-0 (4th)
1974 New York Jets..................... 7-7-0 (3rd)
1975 New York Jets................... 3-11-0 (4th)
1976 New York Jets................... 3-11-0 (4th)
1977 Los Angeles Rams........... 10-4-0 (1st)
(Division Finish in Parentheses)
Qualified for Postseason in Bold
Full Name: Winston Cordell Hill
Birthdate: October 23, 1941
Birthplace: Joaquin, Texas
Died: April 26, 2016
High School: Weldon (Gladewater, TX)
Pro Career: 15 seasons, 198 games
Drafted: 11th round (145th player overall) in 1963 by Baltimore Colts
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