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The NFL world was saddened by yet another loss on Thursday as Ronnie Hillman passed away. Hillman, who was a running back for the Denver Broncos, was just 31 years old.
The news comes just days after his family announced that he had entered hospice care for liver cancer as well as pneumonia. He was diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma, a rare form of cancer, in August 2022. He did undergo treatment for the disease but unfortunately succumbed just four months later. This is another tragic loss for the NFL community, coming one day after the passing of Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris.
On Thursday morning, Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson took to his personal Instagram account to pay tribute to his fellow Class of 2012 draft pick. The two played against each other in Super Bowl XLVIII. Wilson said that he sends his condolences to Hillman's family:
"So sad to hear about Ronnie. 2012 Draft class. Gone too soon. Praying for the entire Hillman family, friends and teammates. May you Rest in Peace in Heaven."
How long did Ronnie Hillman play in the NFL?
Ronnie Hillman was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft after playing his collegiate career at San Diego State. He earned the starting running back job in his second season with the team. One in which the Broncos made the trip to Super Bowl XLVIII but lost to Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.
He was the starting running back again in 2014 and 2015 which ended up being his best in terms of career stats. He had 863 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in the 2015 season as the Broncos went on to face the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Hillman and the Broncos went on to win the Super Bowl, after which Peyton Manning retired. Ronnie Hillman re-signed with the Broncos in 2016 but was cut before the season began.
He then had brief stints with the Minnesota Vikings and San Diego Chargers in 2016 and the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. In his career, Hillman rushed for over 1,900 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
