Winston Hill facts for kids

Winston Cordell Hill (October 23, 1941 – April 26, 2016) was an American college and professional American football player. He was known for his long career as an offensive tackle for the New York Jets. Hill helped his team win the Super Bowl III championship. He was later honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Early Life and College Football

Winston Hill grew up in Joaquin, Texas. His father was a school principal. In high school, Winston was a champion in tennis. He also played football.

He went on to play college football at Texas Southern University. There, he played on both offense and defense. He was recognized as an All-American player.

Professional Football Career

In 1963, Winston Hill was drafted by the Baltimore Colts. However, he chose to sign with the New York Jets instead. The Jets were part of the American Football League (AFL) at the time.

Hill became a key player for the Jets. He played as a left offensive tackle. His job was to protect the team's star quarterback, Joe Namath. He also helped create openings for running backs like Emerson Boozer and Matt Snell.

Winston Hill played in 174 games in a row. This was one of the longest streaks in professional football history. He was chosen as an AFL All-Star four times. He also made the Pro Bowl four times.

In 1977, Hill joined the Los Angeles Rams with Joe Namath. He played only a few games before retiring. In 2020, Winston Hill was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The next year, he joined the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

Winning Super Bowl III

The 1968 season was a big one for Winston Hill and the Jets. He was a very strong blocker. He helped the Jets' running backs gain many yards. The team won their division with 11 wins and 3 losses.

The Jets then played in Super Bowl III. They faced the Baltimore Colts. Winston Hill played a huge role in the Jets' 16–7 upset victory. His blocking helped Matt Snell rush for 121 yards. This helped the Jets win their first championship.

Special Honors and Recognition

Winston Hill received many special honors during and after his career.

• In 1970, he was named to the second-team American Football League All-Time Team.
• In 2003, fans voted him onto the New York Jets' All-Time Four Decade Team.
• In 1986, he was inducted into the Texas Southern University Sports Hall of Fame.

In 2009, the NFL celebrated the 50th season of the original AFL teams. One game between the Jets and the Miami Dolphins was called "Winston Hill Day." His daughter, Heather Hill, sang the national anthem. Many of his former teammates joined the celebration. During halftime, his jersey, number 75, was officially retired by the Jets.

In 2010, Winston Hill was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor. This honor recognizes important players in the team's history.

Later Life and Community Work

After retiring from football, Winston Hill lived in Colorado for 46 years. He was known for being very kind and helping his community. He supported many youth programs. He often brought young campers to football camps.

Hill worked with the Gilliam Youth Center in Denver. He also volunteered at the Denver Indian Center. He encouraged other professional athletes to donate sports equipment and volunteer their time. He was a motivational speaker for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for 20 years.

Winston Hill also cared deeply about football players' well-being. He pushed for better financial education for young players. He also strongly advocated for improved healthcare for retired players. Many older players faced health issues from their careers. Hill spoke about the need for better medical support for them. After he passed away, the Jets Alumni meeting discussed new support systems for retired players.

Winston Hill's BBQ

In 1980, Winston Hill opened his first barbecue restaurant. He learned his cooking skills from a famous community leader, Daddy Bruce Randolf. Over the years, he opened several restaurants. His family still runs one of his favorite locations today. It is now called Winston's Smoke BBQ in Centennial, Colorado.

His daughters, Heather Hill and Hovlyn May, started a scholarship at Texas Southern University. It is called the Winston Hill Finish Like a Pro Athletic Endowed Scholarship. It helps junior and senior students finish their studies in fields like physical education and sports medicine.

Death

Winston Hill passed away on April 26, 2016, at the age of 74. He died from heart failure and brain injuries. At his request, his brain was donated to science. This was to help research on brain injuries that athletes can get.

See also

• Other American Football League players

Images for kids

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  Winston Hill's BBQ