Jerry Hill (American football)

Gerald Allen Hill (born October 12, 1939) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Baltimore Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wyoming Cowboys. He is a native of Lingle, Wyoming.^[1]

Jerry Hill

No. 45
Position:	Fullback
Personal information
Born:	(1939-10-12) October 12, 1939 (age 85) Torrington, Wyoming, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:	Lingle (WY)
College:	Wyoming
NFL draft:	1961: 3rd round, 35th pick
AFL draft:	1961: 2nd round, 11th pick
Career history
Baltimore Colts (1961–1970)
Career highlights and awards
NFL champion (1968)x Super Bowl champion (V) 2× All-Skyline Conference (1959, 1960) Sun Bowl champion (1958)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards: 2,668 Rush attempts: 706 Rushing TDs: 22 Receptions: 112 Receiving yards: 970 Games played: 102 Stats at Pro Football Reference

University of Wyoming

Born and raised in southeastern Wyoming, Hill played college football at the University of Wyoming in Laramie under head coach Bob Devaney. He was an All-Skyline Conference running back in 1959 and 1960, and was part of the 1958 team that won the Sun Bowl in his sophomore season.^[1]

Hill was selected as Wyoming football's Player of the 20th Century in 1992.^[2] He finished his collegiate career with 1,374 rushing yards on 288 carries. He was named as an Honorable Mention All-American in 1959 and 1960.

Baltimore Colts

Selected in the third round (35th overall) of the 1961 NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts he played with them through 1970, including Super Bowls III and V. Hill was primarily used as a blocking back for other rushers such as Lenny Moore and Tom Matte and protecting John Unitas from blitzing linebackers. Hill's best season was in 1965, when he led the team in rushing with 516 yards.

Baltimore-based National Brewing Company introduced Colt 45 malt liquor in 1963. The Pabst Brewing Company (current owners of the beverage) claims on their website the "Fun Fact" that Colt 45 was named after Hill, who was #45 on the 1963 Baltimore Colts, and not the .45 caliber cartridge of the same name.^[3] However, Hill described the claim as a "rumor," and stated that he never made any endorsements or received any royalties for the alleged use of his name.^[4] In a 2020 interview, Hill stated that "They wanted to name the product Colt 45 … I just happened to be the Colt who was wearing 45."^[5]

Awards and honors

• All Skyline Conference Running Back (1959, 1960)
• Inducted into Wyoming Cowboys Hall of Fame, October 29, 1993.^[2]
• Wyoming Football Player of the 20th Century
• Member of 1958 Sun Bowl Champions
• Member of 1968 NFL Champions
• Member of Super Bowl V Champions