Rusty Hilger
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2019) |
No. 12 | |||||||||
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Position: | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. | ||||||||
Died: | December 24, 2019 | (aged 57)||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||
Weight: | 205 lb (93 kg) | ||||||||
Career information | |||||||||
High school: | Southeast (Oklahoma City) | ||||||||
College: | Oklahoma State | ||||||||
NFL draft: | 1985 / Round: 6 / Pick: 143 | ||||||||
Career history | |||||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Player stats at PFR |
Russell Todd Hilger (May 9, 1962 – December 24, 2019
Oklahoma State University
Hilger played college football at
East–West Shrine Game
Hilger was selected to play in the 60th East–West Shrine Game at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California in January 1985. Hilger and University of Nevada, Las Vegas quarterback Randall Cunningham were teamed with (1984 National Champion) head coach LaVell Edwards of Brigham Young University. For the first time, Hilger's skills were on display in a pro-style offense and under the watchful eyes of NFL owners, coaches, and scouts.
NFL career
With the 143rd pick of the
In 1988, Hilger underwent a knee surgery that changed the course of his career and led to his termination from the Raiders. After missing the first five games of the 1988 season, Hilger signed with the Detroit Lions despite failing his physical. Only six days after arriving in Detroit, Hilger was forced into action. Without a grasp of the playbook, Hilger managed to call plays, attempt a career-high 43 passes, and toss a touchdown in the 24–7 loss against the Chicago Bears. By seasons end, Hilger was named as the Lions Offensive MVP for the 1988 season. In 1989, the Lions released Hilger due to his bone-on-bone knee condition. In 1990, Hilger teamed with former Raiders Head Coach Tom Flores and the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks released Hilger prior to the season opener and he was picked up by former Raiders Offensive Coordinator Larry Kennan and the Indianapolis Colts. Hilger signed with the Indianapolis Colts and spent the remainder of the season with the Colts. At season's end, Coach Larry Kennan joined former Raider Head Coach Tom Flores in Seattle. Hilger remained under contract with the Colts until being released just days before the 1991 season opener. He then re-signed with the Seahawks for the 1991 and 1992 seasons. Chronic arthritis forced Hilger to retire after the 1992 season.
References
- ^ Haisten, Bill. "Rusty Hilger, the quarterback of OSU's first 10-win team, dead at 57". Tulsa World. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
- ^ "Rusty Hilger Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards - databaseFootball.com". Football database. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- ^ "1985 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 5, 2023.