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Ronnie Hillman

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Ronnie Hillman
refer to caption
Hillman with the Denver Broncos in 2012
No. 21, 23, 33, 34, 36
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born:(1991-09-14)September 14, 1991
Long Beach, California, U.S.
Died:December 21, 2022(2022-12-21) (aged 31)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:La Habra (La Habra, California)
College:San Diego State (2009–2011)
NFL draft:2012 / round: 3 / pick: 67
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:1,976
Rushing average:4.0
Rushing touchdowns:12
Receptions:74
Receiving yards:524
Receiving touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Ronald Keith Ryan Hillman Jr. (September 14, 1991 – December 21, 2022) was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs, earning third-team All-American honors as a sophomore in 2011. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft and was a member of their team that won Super Bowl 50. Hillman later spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers, and Dallas Cowboys.

Early life

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Hillman was born on September 14, 1991, in Long Beach, California.[1][2] Growing up in nearby Compton, he played football in a sports league operated by the rapper Snoop Dogg for inner-city youths,[3][4] and was on an all-star team with fellow future NFL player De'Anthony Thomas.[5] He has four brothers and one sister. During his early years, Hillman highlighted his talents while attending La Habra High School, lettering in basketball, football, and track. In high school football, he played as a running back. In 2008, he was named Southwest Division offensive player of the year after helping lead the Highlanders to the CIF Southern Section Southwest Division championship crown in a season where he amassed 1,615 yards and 20 touchdowns. As a senior in 2009, he was selected MVP of the Freeway League as he accounted for 2,104 all-purpose yards (1,251 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns) and 27 total touchdowns all-purpose yards and led the Highlanders to a 12–2 record and to the 2008 CIF Southern Section Southwest Division title after going 5–0 in the Freeway League and winning the 2008 Freeway League championship. His performance earned him first-team All-County honors and by the Orange County Register.[2]

Following his senior season, Hillman was ranked by most recruiting analysts as a "three-star prospect"[6] and considered joining Colorado State, San Diego State, and Fresno State to play college football.[7] He eventually signed with San Diego State University (SDSU) to play for its Aztecs football team.[8]

College career

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Hillman sat out the 2009 season while SDSU sorted out administrative issues involving his admission. He took the year off, moved to Atlanta, worked as a waiter at an Applebee's restaurant, and studied for, retook and passed his college-entrance exam, which allowed him to enroll at SDSU.[9][10]

Freshman season

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As a freshman in 2010, Hillman gained 1,532 yards and scored 17 rushing touchdowns.[11] On September 18, 2010, he gained 228 rushing yards against Missouri in his third college football game.[2][12] He was named the freshman of the year of the Mountain West Conference (MWC) and was voted a freshman All-American by several publications.[13]

Sophomore season

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As a sophomore in 2011, Hillman was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press,[14] and earned his second straight first-team All-MWC selection.[15] He rushed for 1,711 yards and 19 touchdowns during the season. He ranked fourth among all players in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with an average of 131.6 rushing yards per game.[16] He ranked third in total rushing yards.[17] He gained over 100 rushing yards in eight of San Diego State's 12 games in 2011.[18][19][20] On September 17, 2011, the San Diego State Aztecs faced the 2–0 undefeated Washington State Cougars at Qualcomm Stadium. Hillman scored on four touchdown runs, leading the Aztecs to a 42–24 victory and their first 3–0 start in 30 years. On October 29, 2011, he gained a season-high 224 yards against Wyoming for 2 touchdowns, including a 99-yard touchdown run.[21][22]

Hillman (No. 13) runs for a 1-yard touchdown against Washington State in 2011.

In January 2012, Hillman announced that he had hired an agent and would be entering the 2012 NFL draft.[23]

College statistics

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San Diego State Aztecs
Season Rushing Receiving
Att Yds Avg Y/G TD Rec Yds Avg TD
2010 262 1,532 5.8 117.8 17 9 68 7.6 1
2011 311 1,711 5.5 131.6 19 24 270 11.3 1
Career 573 3,243 5.7 124.7 36 33 338 10.2 2

Professional career

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External videos
video icon Hillman performing at the 2012 NFL Combine
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Vertical jump Bench press
5 ft 8+3⁄4 in
(1.75 m) 		200 lb
(91 kg) 		30 in
(0.76 m) 		8+1⁄2 in
(0.22 m)		 4.45 s 1.58 s 2.62 s 37.0 in
(0.94 m)		 17 reps
All values from NFL Combine[24][25]

Denver Broncos

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2012 season

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Hillman was selected in the third round with the 67th overall pick by the Denver Broncos.[26] He signed a four-year deal with the team.[23] In week 10 against the Carolina Panthers, Hillman scored his first career touchdown on a 5-yard run.[27][28]

2013 season

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In week 3, he scored his second touchdown in the NFL, a 1-yard rushing touchdown to cap a victory against the Oakland Raiders.[27][29] Hillman was inactive for the post-season[6][30] as the Broncos reached Super Bowl XLVIII, but lost 43–8 to the Seattle Seahawks.[31]

2014 season

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After teammate Montee Ball went down with a groin injury, Hillman was announced as the starter.[32] In his first career start, Hillman had his first 100-yard rushing game in a victory at the New York Jets in Week 6.[33][34] He followed up with another 100-yard rushing game against the San Diego Chargers in Week 8,[35] along with a pair of two-touchdown performances against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7[36] and the New England Patriots in Week 9.[37] Unfortunately, a sprained foot sustained during the Broncos' Week 10 win over the Oakland Raiders forced him to miss almost all of the remaining matches of the football season.[38][39]

2015 season

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Hillman in Super Bowl 50

Hillman had the most productive season of his career in 2015, playing every game of the regular season and had four 100-yard rushing performances, scoring seven touchdowns and rushed for a team-best 863 yards.[40][6][41] In week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings, Hillman ran for a 72-yard touchdown, the longest in his NFL career[27] and the longest touchdown run by a Broncos running back in 15 seasons, tied for the fourth longest in franchise history.[42] In Week 17, his 23-yard touchdown run broke a tie late in the comeback victory over the San Diego Chargers, helping the Broncos finish the season 12–4 and secure the AFC's top seed for the ensuing playoffs.[43][44] Hillman soon became part of the Broncos team that defeated the Carolina Panthers by a score of 24–10 to win Super Bowl 50; he had five carries for no yards, with his longest rush in the game being for 3 yards.[45][46] He became the first alumnus from Snoop Dogg's youth football program to win a Super Bowl.[4]

On April 18, 2016, Hillman re-signed with the Broncos on a one-year, $2 million contract.[47] However, he was released by the Broncos before the start of the regular season.[48]

Minnesota Vikings

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On September 21, 2016, Hillman was signed by the Minnesota Vikings after Adrian Peterson suffered an injury in Week 2.[49] After playing five games, in which he had a total of 50 rushing yards on 18 carries and added 43 yards on four catches, he was released by the Vikings on November 21, 2016.[50]

San Diego Chargers

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The following day, on November 22, 2016, the Broncos attempted to re-acquire Hillman, but he was instead claimed off waivers by the San Diego Chargers.[51][52] He managed to play in three games for the Chargers before the end of the football season.[53]

Dallas Cowboys

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On July 27, 2017, Hillman was signed by the Dallas Cowboys.[54] At the end of the pre-season, he was released by the Cowboys on September 2 that year.[55]

NFL career statistics

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Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg TD Lng Rec Yds Avg TD Lng Fum Lost
2012 DEN 14 0 85 330 3.9 1 31 10 62 6.2 0 29 2 1
2013 DEN 10 0 55 218 4.0 1 19 12 119 9.9 0 19 2 1
2014 DEN 8 4 106 434 4.1 3 37 21 139 6.6 1 16 1 0
2015 DEN 16 10 207 863 4.2 7 72 24 111 4.6 0 14 2 1
2016 MIN 5 0 18 50 2.8 0 14 4 43 10.8 0 32 0 0
SD 3 1 23 81 3.5 0 17 3 50 16.7 0 21 0 0
Career 56 15 494 1,976 4.0 12 72 74 524 9.9 1 32 8 3

Illness and death

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Hillman was diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma, a rare form of kidney cancer, in August 2022.[56] The cancer treatments were unsuccessful,[56] and in December 2022, he entered hospice care for the cancer as well as pneumonia.[57] He died on December 21, 2022, at age 31.[58][59][60]

References

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  1. ^ Schrotenboer, Brent (April 27, 2012). "SDSU's Hillman 'really excited' to be a Bronco". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Ronnie Hillman profile". San Diego State University. Archived from the original (Archived by the Wayback Machine) on August 30, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Stanley, Deb (February 6, 2016). "Hillman went from Snoop Dogg league to NFL". Idaho News 6 Boise Twin Falls (KIVI). Retrieved December 25, 2022. Hillman grew up in Compton, California. Snoop founded the Snoop Youth Football League, a nonprofit organization that gives inner-city children, five to 13 years old, a chance to play football and cheer. Hillman played on one of those teams ten years ago.
  4. ^ a b Brito, Christopher (December 22, 2022). "Ronnie Hillman, Super Bowl champion running back, dies at age 31 after cancer battle". CBS News. Retrieved December 25, 2022. Hillman, who grew up in Compton, California, became the first alumnus from Snoop Dogg's youth football league to win a Super Bowl. The rap legend said "heaven gained an angel today." "Thank u for being an example to the youth in my league and around the world 🌹🌹🙏🏽🐐" Snoop Dogg wrote.
  5. ^ Kensler, Tom (October 27, 2012). "Broncos Q&A: Rookie running back Ronnie Hillman". The Denver Post. Retrieved December 25, 2022. Although Oregon speedster De'Anthony Thomas was the one to receive cover-story publicity for having participated on a Los Angeles youth football all-star team sponsored by rapper Snoop Dogg, Broncos rookie running back Ronnie Hillman was there too. Hillman, a native of Long Beach, Calif., is two years older than Thomas. They played one game together on Snoop Dogg's all-star team.
  6. ^ a b c Harmonson, Todd (February 5, 2016). "Former La Habra High star Ronnie Hillman's career still on upswing heading into Super Bowl". Orange County Register. Retrieved December 25, 2022. Hillman was viewed as a risk, starting when recruiting analysts tabbed him as a three-star prospect at La Habra ... Even this season, when Hillman played every game for the first time in the NFL and had four 100-yard performances and seven rushing touchdowns, he is relatively fresh. ....the Broncos played the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII. Well, they technically were the Seahawks' opponents, even if they didn't show up for the 43–8 demolition, ... Hillman was on that team but not on the field after finding himself on the inactive list throughout that playoff run.
  7. ^ "San Diego State remains option for Hillman". The San Bernardino Sun. January 22, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2022. I'm not really interested in another school except Fresno, San Diego and Colorado State.
  8. ^ "Ronnie Hillman – Football Recruiting – Player Profiles". ESPN. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  9. ^ Schrotenboer, Brent (February 27, 2010). "Hungry Hillman eager to start Aztecs job". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  10. ^ Canepa, Nick (September 22, 2011). "Watch Hillman now, because flash might be gone soon". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  11. ^ Sullivan, Tim (December 23, 2010). "This performance no dry run for Hillman". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  12. ^ Canepa, Nick (September 24, 2010). "Hillman inspires memories of ex-Aztecs great Faulk". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  13. ^ Gemmell, Kevin (December 14, 2010). "SDSU's Hillman a difference-maker". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  14. ^ "AP All-America Team, List". Sports Illustrated. December 14, 2011. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013.
  15. ^ "Seven Aztecs Named First-Team All-Mountain West". San Diego State University Athletics. December 6, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  16. ^ "Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Player Report Rushing". NCAA.com. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  17. ^ "NCAA Division I-A Player Rushing Statistics – 2011 (Rushing Yards Leaders – All Players)". ESPN. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  18. ^ Schmoldt, Eric (October 26, 2011). "San Diego State's speedy Hillman ranks among top running backs in the nation". Star-Tribune. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  19. ^ "Hillman leads San Diego State past Air Force". San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. October 14, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  20. ^ Schrotenboer, Brent (October 19, 2011). "SDSU's Hillman shares thoughts on NFL future". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  21. ^ Hodkowski, Ryne (December 14, 2011). "College Football's 50 Most Outstanding Single-Game Performances of 2011". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 25, 2022. 20. Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State: Week 9 vs. Wyoming. 31 of 50. The Box Score: 25 carries, 224 yards, 2 TDs, 2 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD Beyond the Box Score: You can see Hillman's 99-yard touchdown run in the attached video. Overall, it helped contribute to his 11.3 yard per touch average. It was the first of two touchdowns for Hillman in the third quarter. ...
  22. ^ "SDSU Aztecs HB Ronnie Hillman 99-yard TD run". San Diego Football Network. November 22, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2022 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ a b Schrotenboer, Brent (January 4, 2012). "Post-Hillman era begins at SDSU". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  24. ^ "Ronnie Hillman Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". National Football League. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  25. ^ "Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State, RB, 2012 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  26. ^ "2012 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  27. ^ a b c "Ronnie Hillman Career Touchdown Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  28. ^ "Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers – November 11th, 2012". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  29. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – September 23rd, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  30. ^ "Ronnie Hillman Playoffs Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  31. ^ "Super Bowl XLVIII – Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos – February 2nd, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  32. ^ Klis, Mike (October 6, 2014). "Broncos' Montee Ball to miss several weeks with groin injury". The Denver Post. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  33. ^ Montgomery, Kyle (kmonty) (October 12, 2014). "Broncos defense stifles Jets to 31–17 win". Mile High Report. Retrieved December 25, 2022. Hillman had his career-first 100-yard rushing game.
  34. ^ "Denver Broncos at New York Jets – October 12th, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  35. ^ "San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – October 23rd, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  36. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos – October 19th, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  37. ^ "Denver Broncos at New England Patriots – November 2nd, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  38. ^ Wesseling, Chris (November 10, 2014). "Report: Ronnie Hilllman (midfoot sprain) out 2 weeks". National Football League. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  39. ^ Klis, Mike (December 25, 2014). "Briefs: Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman back at practice as full participant". The Denver Post. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  40. ^ "2015 NFL 100-Yard Rushing Games". FootballDB.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  41. ^ Renck, Troy (December 22, 2022). "Broncos' Ronnie Hillman passes away from cancer". Denver 7 Colorado News. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  42. ^ "Vikings vs. Broncos – NFL Game Recap – October 4, 2015". ESPN. Retrieved December 25, 2022. With Manning in the pistol formation behind a patchwork offensive line and two tight ends lined up on the left side, Hillman went left, gathered in Manning's pitch, hit the crease and was gone down the sideline. It was the longest touchdown run by a Broncos running back in 15 years. ... Hillman's long run is tied for the fourth longest in franchise history.
  43. ^ "Manning leads Broncos past Chargers 27–20". ESPN. Associated Press. January 4, 2016. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  44. ^ Renck, Troy E. (January 3, 2016). "Peyton Manning, Broncos beat Chargers, earn top seed in AFC playoffs". The Denver Post. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  45. ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (July 21, 2015). "Broncos outlast Panthers, claim third Super Bowl title". NFL.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  46. ^ "Super Bowl 50 – Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers – February 7th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  47. ^ Jhabvala, Nicki (April 18, 2016). "Ronnie Hillman, Broncos agree to one-year contract". The Denver Post. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  48. ^ Mason, Andrew (September 3, 2016). "Broncos make 23 moves to pare roster at the deadline". DenverBroncos.com. Archived from the original on August 19, 2017.
  49. ^ Peters, Craig (September 21, 2016). "Vikings Place Matt Kalil on IR; Sign RB Ronnie Hillman". Vikings.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  50. ^ Thompson, Eric (November 21, 2016). "Vikings promote Weatherly, waive Hillman; is the return of Adrian Peterson next?". Daily Norseman. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  51. ^ Stapleton, Arnie (November 23, 2016). "Broncos get friendly reminder of what it's all about". AP NEWS. Retrieved December 24, 2022. The Broncos put in a claim for Ronnie Hillman, whom they cut in August, after he was waived by the Vikings this week. But the San Diego Chargers got him instead.
  52. ^ "Chargers Add Former Aztec RB Ronnie Hillman". Chargers.com. November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  53. ^ Martin, Sean (July 22, 2017). "Cowboys Work Out RBs Ronnie Hillman, Denard Robinson Before Oxnard". Inside The Star. Retrieved December 24, 2022. Ronnie Hillman warranted a look from the Vikings following Adrian Peterson's injury this season, signed by Minnesota only to appear in five games and carry the ball 18 times. He then bounced to the Chargers for three games.
  54. ^ Patra, Kevin (July 27, 2017). "Ronnie Hillman signs contract with Dallas Cowboys". NFL.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  55. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 2, 2017). "Cowboys Make 38 Moves, One Trade To Reach 53; Kellen Moore Released". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  56. ^ a b Lazarus Caplan, Anna (December 21, 2022). "Ronnie Hillman, Former Denver Broncos Star, in Hospice With Kidney Cancer". People. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  57. ^ Nicholson, Eli (December 20, 2022). "Ronnie Hillman reportedly in hospice care". Mile High Report. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  58. ^ Kosmider, Nick (December 22, 2022). "Former Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman dies at 31". The Athletic. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  59. ^ Swanson, Ben (December 22, 2022). "Broncos mourn the passing of former running back and Super Bowl 50 champion Ronnie Hillman". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  60. ^ Legwold, Jeff (December 22, 2022). "Former Broncos RB Hillman dies of cancer at 31". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
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