Former Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman dies after battle with cancer

Denver Broncos Super Bowl-winning running back Ronnie Hillman has died after a battle with cancer.

Former Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman’s family posted on his Instagram early Thursday morning announcing his death after a battle with cancer. Hillman had been diagnosed with kidney cancer in August 2022 and entered hospice just this month.

In the post, the family said, “Ronnie quietly and peacefully transitioned  today in the company of his family and close friends.”

Ronnie Hillman’s legacy with the Denver Broncos

Hillman spent four seasons with the Broncos and then split the final year of his career between the Minnesota Vikings and the San Diego Chargers. He was a part of the Broncos 2015 Super Bowl-winning team, and appeared in five total postseason games for Denver over the course of his career.

Hillman rushed for 1,976 yards and tacked on another 524 in the receiving game. The best season of his career was 2015, the Super Bowl year, where he amassed seven rushing and receiving touchdowns and had over 60 yards per game from scrimmage.

At 31, he is one of two sub-35 players who have passed from the Broncos Super Bowl L team. Demaryius Thomas passed at age 33:

In the 2012 NFL Draft, Hillman was taken by the Broncos in the third round out of San Diego State where he rushed for 5.7 yards per attempt and 1.38 touchdowns per game across two seasons.

His signature moment was a 72-yard touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings which, in Week 4, was the longest play of the NFL season at that point:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MspNtelRkA

The family has asked for time to process the loss and thanked fans for their prayers.