Winston Hill, arguably an early prototype for today's NFL left tackle and blindside protector of Jets quarterback Joe Namath, died Tuesday night in Denver, his adopted hometown. He was 74.
An affable mountain of a man at 6-4, 270 pounds, Hill was a vicious pillar of the Jets' high-scoring offenses under Namath, not only protecting "Broadway Joe" but also opening holes for a bruising ground game led by Emerson Boozer and Matt Snell.
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"I was very sad to hear of the passing of Winston Hill," Jets owner Woody Johnson said (via the Jets' website).