1972 Profile: Winston Hill

Offensive Tackle
No. 75
Texas Southern
"One of the few Jets to make it through the season in one piece in 1971. Hill was the only Jet to be selected for the Pro Bowl game, and it marked the second time he was so honored. Also a four-time pick to the old AFL All-Star Game, Winston has played over 100 straight games for the Jets after being cast off by the Baltimore Colts in 1963. He's the best lineman in the team's history.
An offensive co-captain, Hill switched from left to right tackle last season to make way for Bob Svihus. The move did not affect his play.
Winston got his degree at Texas Southern, then did graduate work at Nebraska. He's from Gladewater, Texas."

-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1972 Edition

"'The biggest thing I can do' says Winston, 'is carry out my blocking assignments. In pro ball you're dealing with men. The pride in the individual is what makes him perform.'

Winston is a great pass protector for Joe Namath but he likes to block for the run more. He won press notices for his handling of the Colts' Ordell Braase and the Raiders' Ben Davidson in the Jets' championship games during the 1968 season.

Winston was a high school tennis champ."

-1972 Topps No. 295

"Once again Hill earned himself All-Pro honors in '71, this time at a new position. After eight years on the left side of the line, Hill was asked to make the move to right tackle and accomplished it cleanly. He had another outstanding year and was chosen to the Pro Bowl.
Hill was elected offensive co-captain along with John Schmitt prior to the season opener. Winston made the move to the right side to accommodate the newly-acquired Bob Svihus, saying he would do anything to help the team. According to line coach Wimp Hewgley, Hill was just as consistent at his well-known pass blocking skills at the new spot as he had been when he won All-Pro and All-AFC honors on the other side.
A year ago Winston played a key role in wins over LA and Minnesota by neutralizing Coy Bacon and Jim Marshall. He prefers to block for the running game but is perhaps the most proficient pass blocker in the business today. After experimenting with a lower weight in 1970, Hill came in and stayed around 270 throughout 1971.
Four times an AFL All-Star, Hill won press acclaim for his work against Ordell Braase and Ben Davidson in the championship games of 1968. He came to the Jets in 1963 as a free agent from the Colts after Baltimore and Weeb Ewbank had drafted him.
Hill was a Texas state high school tennis champion from Weldon High for three years, '57-'59. Weldon also won the district grid crown four years with Hill. He still plays tennis regularly.
Winston still makes his home in Littleton, Colorado, where he is the owner of a ranch. His hometown is Gladewater, Texas."

-The New York Jets Official 1972 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos