Former Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman in hospice with liver cancer

Former Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman is in hospice because of pneumonia as he battles liver cancer, according to 104.3 The Fan’s Derek Wolfe and Orlando Franklin, each former teammates of Hillman.

#BroncosCountry please pray for Ronnie Hillman he’s in hospice and not doing well.

— Orlando Franklin (@OFranklin74) December 20, 2022

Hillman was a key member of the Broncos offense during the Peyton Manning era and just turned 31 in September. He played five NFL seasons for three different teams, with most of his success coming in orange and blue.

“He’s got bad liver cancer and he’s in hospice now,” Wolfe said on The Drive on Tuesday. “It’s not looking good. He has pneumonia and I’m putting it out there just to send positive vibes his way.”

Hillman was the leading rusher on the Broncos’ 2015 Super Bowl-winning squad. He didn’t make much of an impact in Super Bowl 50, but Denver wouldn’t have gotten to the big game without his seven touchdowns along the way. Hillman and running back C.J. Anderson were a very nice, complimentary duo throughout the year.

“That’s awful news,” another former teammate Brandon Stokley said on The Drive. “He had a slow start but really picked it up and contributed a lot during the Super Bowl year.”

Hillman was a third-round pick by Denver in the 2012 NFL Draft. He played 48 games with the Broncos and rushed for 1,845 yards with 12 touchdowns, while snagging another through the air.

“Great football player, great person, great teammate, just an all around great dude,” Wolfe said.

***