1978 Profiles: Ken Jones and Winston Hill

KEN JONES

Offensive Tackle
No. 72
Arkansas State
Ken saw action for Buffalo in all 14 games last year. A defensive end in 1976, he was switched back to the offensive line, where he played in college.
He was a first-team All-America selection of the Football Writers and the Sporting News. As a two-year starter at guard, Ken helped lead the way for the top rushing offense in college football. He played in both the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl.

WINSTON HILL

Offensive Tackle

No. 76

Texas Southern

"The Jets believe that big Winston Hill could blossom into one of the top offensive tackles in the league.

In 1963, Hill, a 275-pounder, started out on the New York taxi squad after signing as a free agent. Last year, he was a starter and made the East All-Star team. That's rapid progress.

Winston can also play offensive center - and he did for three games last season."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965

"Winston was signed by the New York Jets as a free agent in 1963. Last season, the big, strong tackle opened the campaign on the taxi squad, but his solid performance during team drills convinced Weeb Ewbank to activate him. Winston played three games at center when injuries rocked the Jets at that spot.

The young offensive tackle has what it takes to develop into one of the best linemen in the league. Winston played in the AFL East-West All-Star Game.

Winston was his high school's tennis singles champ from 1957-1959."

-1965 Topps No. 116

"The offensive tackle was signed as a free agent by the Jets in 1963. Last year Winston missed the entire preseason schedule because of an injury and it wasn't until the second half of the season that he displayed true form.

Winston was a tennis champion in high school."

-1966 Topps No. 92

"This is Winston's fourth year at left tackle for the Jets. The good pass protector is also capable of playing at center. In 1964, Winston played tackle for the East in the AFL All-Star contest.

From 1957-59, Winston was the high school tennis champ of Texas."

-1967 Topps No. 95

"Slowed down in mid-season by an ankle injury, offensive tackle Winston Hill still had his finest year, making the All-Star team for the second time in his career.

The 6-4, 275-pounder has consistently improved in his five pro seasons, and is big enough, strong enough and young enough to become one of the better linemen in the league. Winston gives good pass protection to Mr. Namath, and he can provide the punch necessary to open up the running game.

Now in his sixth year as a regular, the tall Texan signed as a free agent in 1963."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

1969

Winston has been a virtually impenetrable pass blocking stalwart for the Jets since his rookie season. Though an AFL All-Star in 1964, '67 and '68, his greatest glory came in historic Super Bowl III. Joe Namath's masterful deployment of the Jet running backs was helped immeasurable by Winston spending the entire game overpowering Colt defensive end Ordell Braase. This was an offensive lineman's performance that was admired by knowledgeable football fans everywhere.

"Last season, this big left tackle, 6-4 and 280 pounds and once a high school tennis champion, was being called the best offensive tackle in the game. The head coaches picked him on their All-Pro combined AFL-NFL team. Like all the Jets on the offensive line, Winston worries about his man getting by him to knock down Joe Namath.

'The way I feel,' he says, 'when someone hits Joe it's like someone walking up and punching my wife in the face.' A smiling, cheerful giant, he played at Texas Southern and was an All-America in his senior year. The Colts drafted him and let him go, and the Jets picked him up as a free agent.

Big but awkward, he had a lot to learn and the learning didn't always come quickly, but now, entering his eighth pro season, Winston has graduated into the superior class."

-Brenda and Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1970

"Though he had been a stalwart on New York's offensive line for six years, Winston Hill was barely heard of until his brilliant handling of Ben Davidson and Ordell Braase in the 1968 AFL Championship and Super Bowl, respectively. Now the 6-4, 270-pound offensive left tackle is universally regarded as a standout lineman.

Two of his finest games of 1970 were against Los Angeles' Coy Bacon and Minnesota's Jim Marshall. The Jets scored major upset victories in both games.

Hill was originally drafted by Baltimore out of Texas Southern, but the Colts let him go before he had played even a minute for them. The Jets saw enough in the huge but awkward youngster to sign him as a free agent. Winston has enjoyed the finest two seasons of his career the past two years since he lowered his weight from the 280-pound bracket."

-Brenda Zanger, Pro Football 1971

"All-Pro tackle who continued to perform as one of the best in the game in 1970. Hill was a unanimous All-AFC pick and was named to the Pro Bowl after being named to the combined (AFL-NFL) All-Pro team in 1969. He was also chosen as the most valuable offensive player by the Jets writers and broadcasters.

Last year Winston had outstanding games against Los Angeles' Coy Bacon and Minnesota's Jim Marshall as the Jets won both games. He also had standout games against Oakland and Miami late in the season.

Hill came to the Jets in 1963 as a free agent from the Colts after Baltimore had drafted him. He was an AFL All-Star four times and won press notices with his handling of Ordell Braase and Ben Davidson in the championship games of 1968.

He's a great pass protector for Namath but says he likes to block for the run more. He came to camp lighter than ever last year at 263.

He 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 relaxes by playing tennis.

Winston makes his home in Littleton, Colorado. His hometown is Gladewater, Texas."

-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

"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

"One of the top offensive tackles in the game, Hill earned himself Pro Bowl honors for the sixth consecutive year in 1972. It was the seventh time overall that Winnie has been chosen for the Pro Bowl game. He has played both sides for the Jets, switching to the right side in 1971 after spending eight years at left tackle. He made the move so impressively that the Pro Bowl beckoned even at a new position.

Hill has been co-captain of the offense (1971) and is the Jets player representative. He has played in 138 straight games, the longest streak by a Jet. He plays a major role in most Jet victories by neutralizing the pass rush from his side. 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 after Baltimore and Weeb Ewbank had drafted him.

Winston was a Texas state high school tennis champion from Weldon for three years, 1957-59. He makes his off-season home in Englewood, Colorado and he owns a ranch. His hometown is Gladewater, Texas."

-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

"A four-time AFL All-Star, Winston likes to block for the Jets' running game more but is perhaps the most proficient pass blocker in pro football today. An All-Pro selection once again in 1972, he had another outstanding season and was selected to the AFC Pro Bowl squad.

Winston played both offense and defense in college."

-1973 Topps No. 150

"One of the top offensive tackles in pro football, Winston has played both offensive tackle positions for the Jets, switching to the right side in 1971 after spending eight years at left tackle. Winston has played in 152 straight games, the longest streak by a Jet.

Winston plays tennis regularly."

-1974 Topps No. 15

"The senior member of the Jets offensive line, Hill was elected co-captain of the offense last year and once again was named to the Pro Bowl. His all-star appearance was the eighth of his distinguished career and the seventh consecutive for him. He has played both sides for the Jets, switching from left tackle to right tackle in 1971.

Hill missed most of the preseason due to a contract dispute, but reported in good shape and had another of his consistently fine years. He is a great pass protector and forms the nucleus of Joe Namath's bodyguards. Hill has played in 152 consecutive games for the Jets, the longest streak in the club's history. His 153 total games ranks third on the all-time participation list of the Jets.

Winston likes to block for the run more than taking the pass protection punishment but is proficient at both. The Jets like to run behind his blocking. He experimented with a lower weight in 1970, but for the past three years has stayed around the 275 mark.

Hill won press acclaim for his work against Ordell Braase and Ben Davidson during the 1968 championship games. He came to the Jets in 1963 as a free agent after Baltimore and Weeb Ewbank had drafted him.

Winston was a Texas state high school tennis champion from Weldon High for three years (1957-59). Weldon also won the district grid crown in each of his four years on the team.

Very active in religion, Winston is the Jets player representative. He makes his off-season home in Englewood, Colorado, where he owns a ranch. His hometown is Gladewater, Texas."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

"The senior member of the Jets' offensive line, Winston was once again recognized as an All-Pro in 1974. A great pass protector, he has played in 166 consecutive games for the Jets, the longest streak in club history. Winston won acclaim for his play during the 1968 AFL Championship Game and in Super Bowl III.

He played both ways on the line at Texas Southern and was All-American."

-1975 Topps No. 485

Offensive Tackle

No. 75

Texas Southern

"Hill had one of his finest seasons ever as a pro, according to the entire Jet coaching staff, despite being overlooked for the Pro Bowl. He has always been noted for his ability to pass protect for Joe Namath and in 1974 he improved his run blocking to a high level of efficiency. Winston was outstanding throughout the 1974 campaign, especially against Houston and San Diego who presented strong rush lines to contend with.

Winston has made eight All-Star appearances in his 12 years to date and has established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in the NFL. He was honored by his teammates as a co-captain of the offense in 1973 and has played both sides of the line for the Jets, switching from left tackle to right tackle in 1971. Winston has never missed a game, now owning a streak of 167 consecutive appearances.

The Jets have always been noted for running behind his blocking, a tribute to his skills. He experimented with a lower weight a few years ago but now has returned to the 275-280 range.

Hill won press acclaim for his work against Ordell Braase and Ben Davidson during the 1968 championship games. He came to the Jets in 1963 as a free agent after Baltimore and Weeb Ewbank had drafted him in the 11th round of the '63 NFL draft.

Hill was a Texas high school state tennis champion from Weldon High for three years (1957-59). Weldon also won the district grid crown in each of his four years on the team. Winston is very active in religion and with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He worked for the government in St. Croix, V.I. during the off-season.

Winston makes his off-season home in Englewood, Colorado. His hometown is Gladewater, Texas."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

"Winston started every regular season game in 1975. He holds the all-time Jet record for most consecutive games played, 181, and holds a similar record for games played in his career. Winston battled minor, nagging injuries in 1975 including a stone bruise on his heel and a bruised shoulder. An extremely durable interior line player and one of the top all-time protectors of Joe Namath, he's an excellent teacher of younger players.

He had one of his finest seasons in 1974 despite being overlooked for the Pro Bowl, though he has made eight all-star appearances in 13 seasons. He has improved his run blocking to a high level of efficiency. Hill has played both sides of the offensive line and experimented with playing at a lighter weight earlier in his career but has returned to the 275-280 range.

Hill won press acclaim for his work against Ordell Braase and Ben Davidson during the Jets' 1968 postseason. He came to the Jets as a free agent in 1963 after Baltimore and Weeb Ewbank had drafted him in the 11th round of the 1963 draft. In college, Hill played both ways for Texas Southern and won All-America honors as a senior.

He was a Texas high school state tennis champion for three years. Winston is very active in religious activities and with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He does government work in St. Croix, Virgin Islands during the off-season.

Winston makes his home in Englewood, Colorado. His hometown is Gladewater, Texas."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

"Winston has established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in the NFL. He has always been noted for his ability to protect the quarterback and he has improved his run blocking to a high level of efficiency.

Honored by his teammates as co-captain of the offense in 1973, Winston has never missed a game, now owning a streak of 181 consecutive appearances. The Jets have been noted for running behind his blocking, a tribute to his skills.

Winston won All-American honors."

-1976 Topps No. 88