A graduate of Chicago's Phillips High School, Hinton began attending Northwestern University in 1979 and was originally a tight end.
In his last season as a tight end in 1980 he caught 19 passes for 265 receiving yards in ten games.
[1] As a junior in 1981, Hinton was switched to offensive tackle by second year head coach Dennis Green.
The Denver Broncos selected Hinton with the fourth overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft, making him the first guard and first offensive lineman taken.
Hinton played in 14 games at left tackle in 1988 and started 13 of them, helping the Indianapolis Colts achieve a 9–7 record.
Hinton played his last season for the Indianapolis Colts in 1989, starting 14 games at left tackle, as they finished with an 8–8 record.
He finished his career with the Indianapolis Colts, playing in a total of 94 games, starting 92, and being voted to six Pro Bowls.
He signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 1994 and was reunited with his former college head coach Dennis Green.
He helped them finish first in the NFC Central with a 10–6 record and started all 16 regular season games.