The former Denver Broncos running back who helped manning Peyton A Super Bowl winner died after a long battle with cancer, his family announced Wednesday.
He was just 31 years old.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother, and father, Ronnie K. Hillman Jr,” the family said in a statement. “Ronnie passed away peacefully and peacefully today with his family and close friends by his side.”
The 2012 third-round pick was diagnosed in August with renal medullary carcinoma, a rare type of cancer that affects young African-American men with sickle cell trait. He fought valiantly but was recently placed in palliative care.
His former Denver teammates, Derek Wolfe and Orlando franklin – Broncos asked fans to pray for him as his condition worsened this week.
Really sad news from @OFranklin74 that Ronnie Hillman is in hospice w/ liver complications.
Ronnie had almost 1000 all purpose yards and 7 TDs in the 2015-16 season, helping the Broncos win Super Bowl 50. @MrHillman2U my thoughts & prayers with you 🙏 pic.twitter.com/xnL39KL5xz
— Ben Cary (@Ben_Cary_) December 20, 2022
“As a family, we appreciate the prayers and kind words that have already been expressed,” Hillman’s family added in a statement Wednesday night. “As we prepare to lay our precious RJ to rest, we ask that you give us time to process our feelings.”
Ronnie spent six seasons in the NFL, playing for the Broncos, Vikings, Chargers, and Cowboys. But most will remember him for his time in Denver.
He spent from 2012 to 2015 in the Mile High City and had his finest moment with the Broncos at the end of the 2015 season…when they beat the team in Super Bowl 50. leva Newton and the Carolina Panthers.
