The Ironman: Winston Hill’s Journey to Immortality

Winston Cordell Hill was born on October 23, 1941, in Joaquin, Texas. An imposing figure at 6’4″ and 270 pounds, Hill was defined by his extraordinary durability and mastery as an offensive tackle, ultimately earning a long-overdue place in football history.

College Career

Hill attended Texas Southern University, a historically black college, where he starred on both the offensive and defensive lines. A dominant force in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Hill earned three All-SWAC honors during his collegiate career, establishing himself as one of the best linemen to emerge from the HBCU ranks during that era. His athleticism was such that he was also a high school tennis champion, a fact often cited to explain his remarkable footwork as a professional blocker.

Road to the Pro Game

Despite his college success, Hill was an 11th-round pick (145th overall) of the Baltimore Colts in the 1963 NFL Draft. Instead of signing with the Colts, he chose the competing American Football League’s New York Jets (then the New York Titans), who selected him as a free agent. This decision immediately paid dividends, launching a 14-season tenure with the Jets (1963–1976). He concluded his career with a brief three-game stint with the Los Angeles Rams in 1977.

Football Legacy

Winston Hill became the anchor of the Jets’ offensive line and is best known as the ironman who protected quarterback Joe Namath’s blind side during the team’s most iconic period. His strength and quickness helped him handle the era’s best pass rushers. Hill’s most significant accomplishment came in Super Bowl III (1969), where his line dominance was crucial, paving the way for Matt Snell’s rushing success in the Jets’ historic upset of the Baltimore Colts. His 195 consecutive games played and 174 consecutive starts with the Jets remain franchise records, underscoring his legendary reliability. Hill was finally posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020 as part of the Centennial Class.

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats

• Pro Teams Played On: New York Jets (1963–1976), Los Angeles Rams (1977)
• Seasons Played: 15
• Games Played / Started (Career): 198 / 182

Accolades & Awards:

• Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2020)
• Super Bowl Champion (III)
• AFL Champion (1968)
• 8 Total All-Star Selections: 4× AFL All-Star (1964, 1967–1969) and 4× NFL Pro Bowl (1970–1973)
• First-team All-AFL (1969)
• AFL All-Time Second-team
• New York Jets Ring of Honor (Inaugural Class)
• Black College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2021)