Houston attended Deshler High School where he graduated in 1953. He lettered four years in football, baseball, and track. Huston signed a scholarship to the University of Mississippi where he graduated in 1956.

While in high school he was All Tri-Cities, All-TVC, All-State, and an All-American nominee. While at Ole Miss he receive three letters and had the opportunity to play in both the Cotton Sugar Bowls. Upon graduation he entered the U.S. Air Force and played two years of service football at Elgin Air Force base. After his discharge from the service he was drafted and played for the Chicago Cardinals and the Dallas Texans in the NFL.