Rod Hill
No. 25, 47, 38 | |
Born: | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | March 14, 1959
---|---|
Career information | |
Status | Retired |
CFL status | American |
Position(s) | CB |
Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
College | Kentucky State |
NFL draft | 1982, Round: 1, Pick: 25 |
Drafted by | Dallas Cowboys |
Career history | |
As player | |
1982–1983 | Dallas Cowboys |
1984–1986 | Buffalo Bills |
1986 | Detroit Lions |
1987 | Los Angeles Raiders |
1988–1992 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
CFL All-Star | 1989, 1990 |
CFL East All-Star | 1989, 1990 |
Career stats | |
|
Rodrick Hill (born March 14, 1959) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Kentucky State Thorobreds. Hill played in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Raiders. After his NFL career, he played five seasons in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and still holds the career interception record for that franchise.
Early years
Hill attended
As a sophomore, he was converted into a cornerback to take advantage of his athleticism. He had 5 interceptions (led the team) and 25 punt returns for a 21.7-yard average (led the NAIA). Against Morris Brown College, he made 2 interceptions and returned a punt for a 77-yard touchdown. Against Central State University, he returned a punt for an 87-yard touchdown.
As a junior, he registered 2 interceptions (led the team) and led the NAIA with a 31.8-yard average on 18 punt returns. He posted 30.1-yard average on 9 kickoff returns. He missed 3 contests with a sprained ankle.
Hill finished his college career with 8 career interceptions and was considered an excellent return specialist, returning 50
In 2000, he was inducted into the Kentucky State University Athletics Hall of Fame.[1] In 2011, he was inducted into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame.[2]
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
After private workouts with defensive assistant coach
He had irregular performances in the
Hill continued to struggle in
Buffalo Bills
In 1984, he fractured his ankle in the second game of the season and was placed on the injured reserve list. The longer than expected recovery from the injury and a broken hand, limited him to 10 games (5 starts) in 1985. He was used mostly as a punt returner until his release on October 14, 1986.[6]
Detroit Lions
On October 16, 1986, Hill was claimed by the Detroit Lions to replace injured cornerback Bobby Watkins.[7] He played in one game, before being cut and later re-signed for the last 2 games, to replace an injured John Bostic.[8] He was waived on September 1, 1987.[9]
Los Angeles Raiders
After the players went on a strike on the third week of the
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)
Hill signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League in May of 1988, where he became a dominant player. He was the team's starting cornerback for 5 seasons and was part of two Grey Cups championships.[10] He received CFL All-Star honors in 1989 and 1990.
He retired at the end of the 1992 season, with team records for most career interceptions (47), most interceptions in one game (5) and career blocked punts (8).[11] In 1996, he was inducted into the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame.[12]
Personal life
Hill worked as a banker in Winnipeg and also managed a Wal-Mart in Orangeville, Ontario.
References
- ^ "Kentucky State University Hall of Fame". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "Rod Hill Inducted into Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "Tom Landry gambles on draft 'unknown'". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "'Skins say 'How sweet win is'". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "1982 Draft Taught Cowboys A Lesson". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "Bills drop cornerback". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "Watkins Out, Lions Turn to Hill". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "Detroit Re-Signs Rod Hill". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "Bombers upset B.C. 22-21 in Grey Cup". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "Fans name Rod Hill the Bombers' all-time greatest defensive back". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame". Retrieved January 13, 2023.