TSUSports.com: TSU's Winston Hill Voted Into Pro Football Hall of Fame

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Texas Southern's presence in the Pro Football Hall of Fame has expanded as former TSU and New York Jet offensive lineman Winston Hill was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Centennial Class Wednesday morning.

Hill, who died in 2016, will be inducted posthumously into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as he joins former Tiger standout Michael Strahan in the hall. One of the most gifted athletes to grace the TSU gridiron, Hill arrived at TSU as a high school state tennis champion. Weighing 200 pounds as a freshman, he played both offense and defensive lines at TSU and from 1959-62 under the direction of Alexander Durley. The Joaquin, Texas native was a three-time All-SWAC selection as TSU won seven or more games in three of his four years as he left TSU as a 6-4, 270-pound professional football prospect.
Originally drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 11th round of the NFL Draft, Hill signed as a free agent with the New York Jets of the AFL. In his rookie year, he began a streak of 195 consecutive games played, including 174 consecutive starts. Both streaks remain Jets records. Playing left tackle, right tackle and center, Hill was responsible for keeping Namath's jersey clean from attacking defenders. He was part of a line that helped Matt Snell run for 121 yards and a touchdown in the Jets' underdog win over Baltimore in Super Bowl III, still remembered for Namath's brash guarantee of victory.

Hill, who retired in 1977, was named All-AFC five straight seasons (1970-74) and was voted to first AFL All-Star Game. He also was elected to eight AFL All-Star Games/Pro Bowls (five as left tackle, three at right tackle) and was named to All-Time AFL Team (Second Team).

An entrepreneur, Hill owned and operated a barbeque restaurant in the Denver, Colo. and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and often discussed the power of meditation and prayer.

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Courtesy: TSU Athletics
 
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