East Texas Football Great Dead at 74
Posted/updated on: April 28, 2016 at 9:58 am
EAST TEXAS — Gladewater native Winston Hill passed away Tuesday night at his home in Denver. He was 74. KETK reports, Hill, a four-time AFL All-Star and four-time Pro Bowler with the New York Jets was responsible for protecting quarterback Joe Namath during the Jets’ 1968-1969 Super Bowl season. Hill spent 13 seasons with the Jets and one with the Los Angeles Rams. Hill attended Weldon High School in Gladewater, prior to integration.
After attending Texas Southern, Hill was plucked by the Baltimore Colts with the 145th pick in the 11th round of the 1963 draft. The Colts released him that August and the Jets flew in and signed him the following day.
In 1986, Hill was inducted into the Texas Southern University Sports Hall of Fame. The NFL designated November 1, 2009, as “Winston Hill Day” and as part of the festivities, his #75 jersey was retired. In 2010, he was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor.
