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Amazing People from Midland County Texas

Photo by Jeffrey Beall

Born in Midland, Texas November 17, 1983, Eric Winston played high school football at Robert E. Lee High School where he was ranked amongst the most talented high school tight ends in the country. He played alongside fellow NFL running back Cedric Benson, and the two helped win three Texas 5A state championships.

Winston chose to attend college at the University of Miami after being heavily recruited by several other schools. At Miami, Winston majored in International Finance and Marketing and played offensive tackle. He initially was set to play tight end for the Hurricanes, but made the switch before his sophomore year. Winston was widely considered one of the best offensive tackles to enter the 2006 NFL Draft. However, an anterior cruciate ligament injury during his junior year made his draft stock drop, and several draft scouting organizations expressed slight worry over the possible implications of the injury and subsequent surgery on his play.

Winston was also a standout student, graduating in three years with a GPA above 3.5, and he was a 2005 All-America selection. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

Winston was drafted by the Houston Texans in the 3rd round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He started the final seven games as a rookie at right tackle in 2006 and proceeded to start 87 games for them until 2011.He signed a contract extension prior to the 2008 season. The Texans released him on March 12, 2012.

On March 17, 2012 Winston signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. On October 7, 2012, Winston spoke out about Kansas City Chiefs fans, who he thought were cheering an injury to quarterback Matt Cassel. No video evidence has ever been produced to support Winston's claim. In a post game interview, he claimed "this isn't the Roman Coliseum" and "it is hard economic times". He mentioned that he came to the understanding he probably won't live as long because he plays this game, but cheering over a player getting knocked out is "100% sickening". He was released by the Chiefs on March 6, 2013.

He signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks on July 29, 2014 but failed to make the final 53-man roster, and was released on August 30, 2014.

Winston was an offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. Winston played in college at the University of Miami. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Winston has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals. In March 2014 Winston was elected  president of the National Football League Players Association. He was succeeded by J. C. Tretter in March 2020.

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