Popular Searches
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Share
Jets honor New Lebanon teacher’s father
 |
| Winston Hill playing for the New York Jets. (Photo contributed by the Hill family.) |
By Brian Radewitz
For many football fans, Sunday’s New York Jets game against the Miami Dolphins was just another game. But for New Lebanon resident Holly May, her son Grant and her immediate and extended family, it was a special occasion.
May’s father, Winston Hill, was honored by the Jets as part of the team’s 50th anniversary celebration to commemorate the legacy of the NY Jets and the NY Titans; the team is also playing its last season in the existing Meadowlands Stadium.
May, a Canaan resident and New Lebanon teacher, is the daughter of the most highly decorated Jets football player to ever don the green and white jersey. Hill’s numerous accolades include a 1969 Super Bowl III championship and eight Pro Bowl/All Star game appearances, including seven consecutive appearances. Hill spent most of his time in the NFL protecting one of the league’s greatest quarterbacks, Joe Namath.
Not only did the Jets opt to give Hill a plaque during halftime and urge him to give a speech, but they named the full event Winston Hill Day. Tickets even had Hill’s picture on them and one of his daughters, Heather Hill, a New York based opera singer, sang the National Anthem.
“It is really an exciting and surprising thing,” said May, who remembers the days of the Jets playing at the old Shea Stadium. “My dad is a motivational speaker and has coached football for 38 years. He is used to speaking in front of people, but he forgot what it’s like to get all of these phone calls from reporters.”
Since his days of playing on the grand stage ended, Hill has been keeping busy by running a restaurant in Colorado, coaching at the Joe Namath Youth Football Camp and speaking to the public. Though, his favorite thing these days is being a grandfather, he said.
“My son Grant is 11 now and since he was 6 years old, he has been going to the football camp,” noted May. “My dad and my son have been roommates at the camp and this weekend means a lot to both of them. They have a very close relationship.”
Besides the May family, Hill’s 91-year-old mother will be on the sidelines along with many of his old teammates.
“My dad kept in close contact with all of his old teammates,” said May, noting the game is serving as a kind of family reunion for her siblings and the old teammates. “A lot of them also coach at the football camp, so it’s like they are all headed to summer camp together each year. Everyone is really close. All of the guys are like an extended family and they really care about each other and help each other.”
So what did No. 75 have planned to do after this historic event?
“He’s coming up to Columbia County for a week or so,” said May. “This is his second home and he loves spending time up here.”
May’s father, Winston Hill, was honored by the Jets as part of the team’s 50th anniversary celebration to commemorate the legacy of the NY Jets and the NY Titans; the team is also playing its last season in the existing Meadowlands Stadium.
May, a Canaan resident and New Lebanon teacher, is the daughter of the most highly decorated Jets football player to ever don the green and white jersey. Hill’s numerous accolades include a 1969 Super Bowl III championship and eight Pro Bowl/All Star game appearances, including seven consecutive appearances. Hill spent most of his time in the NFL protecting one of the league’s greatest quarterbacks, Joe Namath.
Not only did the Jets opt to give Hill a plaque during halftime and urge him to give a speech, but they named the full event Winston Hill Day. Tickets even had Hill’s picture on them and one of his daughters, Heather Hill, a New York based opera singer, sang the National Anthem.
“It is really an exciting and surprising thing,” said May, who remembers the days of the Jets playing at the old Shea Stadium. “My dad is a motivational speaker and has coached football for 38 years. He is used to speaking in front of people, but he forgot what it’s like to get all of these phone calls from reporters.”
Since his days of playing on the grand stage ended, Hill has been keeping busy by running a restaurant in Colorado, coaching at the Joe Namath Youth Football Camp and speaking to the public. Though, his favorite thing these days is being a grandfather, he said.
“My son Grant is 11 now and since he was 6 years old, he has been going to the football camp,” noted May. “My dad and my son have been roommates at the camp and this weekend means a lot to both of them. They have a very close relationship.”
Besides the May family, Hill’s 91-year-old mother will be on the sidelines along with many of his old teammates.
“My dad kept in close contact with all of his old teammates,” said May, noting the game is serving as a kind of family reunion for her siblings and the old teammates. “A lot of them also coach at the football camp, so it’s like they are all headed to summer camp together each year. Everyone is really close. All of the guys are like an extended family and they really care about each other and help each other.”
So what did No. 75 have planned to do after this historic event?
“He’s coming up to Columbia County for a week or so,” said May. “This is his second home and he loves spending time up here.”
Share this Article
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of registerstar.com.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
