FILE- In this Sept. 2, 1973, file photo, New York Jets' Joe Namath (12) gets set to launch a delivery to Rick Caster as New Orleans Saints Billy Newsome (78) puts on the pressure and Jets' Winston Hill (75) blocks. Hill, a durable Pro Bowl offensive tackle who helped protect Joe Namath on the way to the New York Jets' Super Bowl victory in 1969, has died. He was 74. The team announced Tuesday, April 26, 2016, that Hill died in his adopted hometown of Denver. (AP Photo, File)

Gladewater’s Winston Hill, an All-Pro offensive tackle who played 15 seasons and helped protect Joe Namath on the way to the New York Jets’ Super Bowl victory in 1969, has died. He was 74.

The team announced Tuesday night that Hill, a member of the Jets’ inaugural Ring of Honor class in 2010, died in his adopted hometown of Denver.

Hill attended Weldon High School in Gladewater. Prior to integration, black students attended Weldon High School in Gladewater. His late father, Garfield Hill, was principal of the school, his daughter, Dr. Sharon Hill, of Wichita, Kansas, said.

Hill played 195 games for the New York Jets and earned eight AFL All-Star/NFL Pro Bowl appearances in his 13-year career. The East Texan joined the Jets as a free agent in 1963 after he was selected in the 11th round of the 1963 draft out of Texas Southern University by Weeb Ewbank and the Baltimore Colts. Hill was an All-American at TSU.

During his time with the Jets, Hill was instrumental in helping his team pull off one of the biggest upsets in sports history. With Hill protecting Namath, the Jets defeated the 18-point favorite Baltimore Colts, 16-7, in Super Bowl III at the Orange Bowl in Miami on Jan. 12, 1969.

Hill is the most decorated honoree in Jets history. He was also a co-captain of the Jets and the player representative for the team to the NFL Players Association. He blocked for such running backs as Emerson Boozer, Matt Snell and John Riggins. Hill ended his career with the Los Angeles Rams in 1977.

Hill’s mother is still a resident of Gladewater.

In the early 1990s, Hill used his cooking talents to open Winston Hill’s Ribs & Stuff in Centennial, Colorado. Centennial is southeast of Denver near Cherry Creek State Park.

Hill made a franchise-record eight All-Star teams, the first five at left tackle and the last three on the right side. He also holds the team mark for offensive linemen with 195 consecutive games played, keeping his streak going despite breaking a leg in the 1965 preseason. Hill also was selected in 1970 for the AFL’s all-time second team.

Jets owner Woody Johnson called Hill “one of the Jets’ all-time greats” in a statement provided by the team.

“I was very sad to hear of the passing of Winston Hill,” Johnson said. “He was our most decorated player with a franchise-record eight all-star game appearances. And as accomplished as he was on the field, he was an even better person whose profound impact on his teammates and those who came in contact with him left an impression for a lifetime.

“He was the type of man who, if you were his friend, you thought you were his best friend.”

The Colts released him in August 1963 and he signed with the Jets the next day. He quickly established himself as one of pro football’s top offensive linemen, making three straight AFL All-Star games in 1967-69 and four straight Pro Bowls from 1970-73.

In addition to protecting Namath, Hill helped block for Snell, who ran for 121 yards and a touchdown in New York’s 16-7 Super Bowl victory over Baltimore.

“Winnie was like my brother,” former center John Schmitt told the team’s website. “He was a terrific football player. His heart was as big as his body. He did not have a bad thing to say about anyone. I am going to miss that turkey.”

Hill’s final season came in 1977 with the Los Angeles Rams, who also had Namath that year.

Hill joined Namath, wide receiver Don Maynard and coach Weeb Ewbank – all members of that Super Bowl-winning team – along with running back Curtis Martin and defensive lineman Joe Klecko as the Jets’ first Ring of Honor inductees.