Over the course of the last year, the Denver Broncos have sadly lost multiple players from the Super Bowl 50 team in tragic fashion. Last December, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas passed away at the age of 33. This year, running back Ronnie Hillman reportedly passed away at the age of 31 after battling a rare form of cancer.
Denver’s Super Bowl-winning running back Ronnie Hillman died Wednesday after a battle with liver cancer, his family announced on Instagram. He was 31. pic.twitter.com/vCJb5SfI8u
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 22, 2022
Just a few days ago, some of Hillman’s former teammates with the Broncos had asked for prayers on Twitter because Hillman was being placed in hospice care.
Gone too soon 🙏🏽
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 22, 2022
From the #Broncos Super Bowl 50 Championship team.
Demaryius Thomas passed at age 33.
Ronnie Hillman passed at age 31. May they rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/o2HShizrdM
Ronnie Hillman was integral to the Denver Broncos winning Super Bowl 50
I have said this in the past as well, but I don’t think the Denver Broncos get the no. 1 seed in the AFC back in the 2015 season without Ronnie Hillman‘s contributions to the team that year. He actually led that team with 863 yards rushing and he led the entire team that year with seven total touchdowns.
Hillman provided the Denver Broncos’ offense a spark that year in games where they desperately needed it. His 72-yard touchdown against the Vikings that season was electric. His touchdown against the New England Patriots — the game where CJ Anderson would eventually score on a walk-off touchdown run — made the Broncos’ comeback bid in that game possible.
He scored in the season finale against the Chargers, a crucial game for the team securing the no. 1 seed in the AFC.
A bright soul gone far too soon.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 22, 2022
We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Hillman family during this difficult time.
Remembering Ronnie Hillman: pic.twitter.com/3NGi5WJvZP
There were high expectations for Hillman coming into the NFL out of San Diego State and if you ask me, he lived up to those expectations. He came into the NFL as the youngest player in the entire league. At just 20 years old, he was thrust onto a roster that had just added Peyton Manning and as his career went on, he had more and more success for the Broncos.
Back in that 2015 season, Hillman had four 100-yard rushing games, all of them victories for the Denver Broncos.
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Hillman is a treasured member of Broncos Country and will be missed. Our prayers go out to his friends, family, former teammates, and all those affected by his passing. Mile High salute to Ronnie Hillman.