Ronnie Hillman meant so much to Broncos Super Bowl 50 team

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) celebrates with running back Ronnie Hillman (23) during the game against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) celebrates with running back Ronnie Hillman (23) during the game against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.