Ronnie Hillman

Hillman, the Broncos' leading rusher in their Super Bowl 50 season, succumbed to a rare and aggressive form of cancer at the age of 31.

While with the Chargers, Hillman also became the answer to a trivia question, as he became the final Charger to touch the football before the team’s relocation to Los Angeles. He returned in the following preseason, but the Broncos released him at the end of the preseason. His time in San Diego returned him to the site of his college exploits at San Diego State University. He played for Minnesota and the San Diego Chargers in 2016. Hillman joined the Broncos as a third-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. But until his last season, he struggled to find a place in the lineup, thanks to injuries and the presence of other running backs. Then a fourth-year running back, Hillman led the Broncos in touchdowns and rushing yardage that season. But in 2015, the Broncos found a one-two punch that worked. Hillman led the Broncos with 863 rushing yards that season; Anderson had 720. He scored 7 times, including a game-winning, fourth-quarter gallop in Week 17 that clinched their final regular-season win and the No. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother and father, Ronnie K. It took a great many performances by a slew of players to make the Broncos’ most recent world championship possible.

Former Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman passed away at the age of 31 on Wednesday. Hillman's family...

He formed a thunder-and-lightning combo in the backfield with CJ Anderson, who was right behind Hillman with 720 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 152 rushing attempts. During that season, Hillman led the Broncos with 863 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 207 carries. Ronnie quietly and peacefully transitioned today in the company of his family and close friends.