Jets great Winston Hill was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this week as part of the 2020 Centennial Class.
This class, which inducted 15 players, was created to celebrate the league’s 100th anniversary. Hill was honored posthumously, as he passed away in 2016 due to heart failure.
The Jets franchise isn’t exactly a storied one, but Hill helped cement one of the most iconic moments in team history. Now, he will finally be remembered with the game’s all-time greats.
Like the man he was responsible for protecting at left tackle, right tackle and center, Hill finished his career with the Los Angeles Rams in 1977 before calling it quits.
With that, let’s look back at the life of the newest Jet in the Hall of Fame.
Career Accolades
Winston Hill’s now Hall of Fame career was filled with accolades.
Hill was elected to four AFL All-Star teams and eventually four Pro Bowls following the AFL-NFL merger. Hill was also a three-time All-AFL recipient and a three-time NFL All-Pro.
A starter on the only championship team in franchise history, Hill was named to the Jets’ Ring of Honor in 2010.
Team History
Winston Hill holds the Jets’ franchise record for offensive linemen with 195 consecutive games played and 174 consecutive starts. That happened despite breaking a leg in the 1965 preseason and having his throat stepped on in 1974.
In the Jets’ inaugural Ring of Honor Class of 2010, Hill, along with Joe Namath, Don Maynard, Joe Klecko, Curtis Martin and Weeb Ewbank, were forever remembered in Jets’ history.
As part of the 2020 Centennial Hall of Fame Class, Hill will join Jets Namath, Maynard, Martin, Ewbank and Kevin Mawae in Canton.
Harsh Irony
Ironically, it was the Colts who selected Wintson Hill in the 11th round of the 1963 NFL draft. The Texas Southern University product was subsequently let go by Baltimore and landed with the Jets.
Hill went on to play 14 seasons for the Jets and helped lead the team to its only Super Bowl in franchise history over the Colts.
Super Bowl III
Winston Hill will always be remembered for his role in the Jets’ Super Bowl III victory.
Hill was part of an offensive line that helped Matt Snell run for 121 yards and a touchdown in the upset win over Baltimore, which Joe Namath famously guaranteed the Jets win. Of course, Namath was correct, but it helped that he had Hill protecting his blindside.
Post-Playing Career
After retiring from professional football in 1977 following a one-year stint with the Rams, Winston Hill opened a barbecue restaurant in Denver.
In 1991, he opened another one, naming it Winston Hill’s Ribs and Stuff. In addition to his love for BBQ, he never stopped loving football. Hill coached and mentored young football players at the Joe Namath football camp for 44 years.
