Former Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman has passed away after a battle with cancer, his family has announced.
Hillman, who was drafted by the Broncos in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, was a member of Denver’s 2013 and 2015 AFC Championship teams and was a key part of the team that won Super Bowl 50. During that 2015 championship season, Hillman was the Broncos’ leading rusher, as his speed and quickness provided electric plays on the ground.
“We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of former Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman,” the Broncos said in a statement. “A key contributor during the winningest four-year period in franchise history, Ronnie was part of two Super Bowl teams and led the Broncos in rushing during our Super Bowl 50 championship season. Soft-spoken with a warm smile and quiet intensity, Ronnie was drafted by the Broncos in 2012 and grew into a dynamic player and well-respected teammate. Ronnie will be fondly remembered by our organization, which extends its heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Hillman family during this difficult time.”
A native of Long Beach, California, Hillman blossomed into a promising football prospect and credited the game with being an important part of how his life unfolded. He took part in rapper Snoop Dogg’s youth football league, and later, as a pro player, Hillman said it was momentous for him.
“He changed my life,” Hillman told the Denver Post in 2016. “Once I started playing on those teams, I stopped getting in trouble and focused on ball.”
As a junior in high school, Hillman led La Habra to its first undefeated season and a title win in the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section’s Southeast Division championship game. In the process, Hillman was named offensive player of the year on the All-CIF Southern Section team for the Southeast Division. The next year, La Habra moved to the Southwest Division and won a title for a second straight year, and Hillman earned offensive…
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