Former Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman passes away at age 31

It took a great many performances by a slew of players to make the Broncos’ most recent world championship possible. And when scrolling down the list of contributors to that title, you didn’t have to go far to note the contributions of Ronnie Hillman.

Then a fourth-year running back, Hillman led the Broncos in touchdowns and rushing yardage that season. He scored 7 times, including a game-winning, fourth-quarter gallop in Week 17 that clinched their final regular-season win and the No. 1 seed to go with it.

The eventual title wouldn’t have happened without Hillman and how he battled for yardage throughout that season.

Tragically, Hillman lost his final battle Wednesday when he succumbed to a rare and aggressive form of cancer at the age of 31.

Hillman’s family announced his passing with a post on his Instagram page.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother and father, Ronnie K. Hillman Jr.,” Hillman’s family posted. “Ronnie quietly and peacefully transitioned today in the company of his family and close friends.”

Just one day earlier, his former teammate, 104.3 The Fan host Orlando Franklin, reported that Hillman was in hospice care.

Later that day, Hillman’s family released a statement through his Instagram feed that he was diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma in August. The cancer primarily impacts young men with sickle-cell trait.

According to the National Institutes of Health, rental medullary carcinoma is “poorly responsive to chemotherapy,” with an average survival time of under 12 months at diagnosis.

Hillman joined the Broncos as a third-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. In his four seasons as a Bronco, he was known for having breakaway capability. But until his last season, he struggled to find a place in the lineup, thanks to injuries and the presence of other running backs.

But in 2015, the Broncos found a one-two punch that worked. Hillman and C.J. Anderson shared the rushing load. Hillman led the Broncos with 863 rushing yards that season; Anderson had 720. Together, they helped keep the Broncos’ offense afloat as the passing game struggled at times to find its rhythm.

Four of Hillman’s six career 100-yard rushing games came en route to Super Bowl 50, including a 117-yard performance in the regular-season finale.

But the Super Bowl was to be his last game that counted as a Bronco. He returned in the following preseason, but the Broncos released him at the end of the preseason. He played for Minnesota and the San Diego Chargers in 2016. His time in San Diego returned him to the site of his college exploits at San Diego State University.

While with the Chargers, Hillman also became the answer to a trivia question, as he became the final Charger to touch the football before the team’s relocation to Los Angeles. He had the team’s final rush, final first down and its next-to-last reception on Jan. 1, 2017.

That was to be Hillman’s final regular-season game, too. He joined the Dallas Cowboys for the next preseason, but they released him at the 53-player deadline.

Hillman is the second member of the Super Bowl 50 team to die in the past 13 months. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas passed away last December of complications from a seizure disorder; he was just 33 years of age.

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— Brandon Marshall (@BMarshh) December 22, 2022

I lost a brother and a friend…. I am so hurt and heartbroken. Ronnie, I LOVE YOU BRO, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY LIL BROTHER!!! May your soul rest in peace. Until we meet again my brotha 💔😥🙏🏾 #RIPRONNIEHILLMAN #PositiveLiving pic.twitter.com/cQUtLXNwSX

— Omar C. Bolden (@OmarBolden) December 22, 2022

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