Greg Hill (American football)
Encyclopedia
Gregory Lamonte' Hill is a former professional
American football
running back
who played in the National Football League
from 1994 to 1999.
in Dallas, Texas
, where he was a highly recruited running back and was named to all-district, all-Texas, and All-America
teams after rushing
for 1,122 yards and 14 touchdown
s as a senior in 1989. He had transferred from Bishop Dunne Catholic School
prior to his senior year.
at Texas A&M
, where in 1991 he made an immediate impact in the first game of his freshman year by rushing for 212 yards (which is still an NCAA
freshman debut record) in a 45-7 Aggie thrashing of LSU
. He would go on to set the A&M freshman rushing record that year at 1,216 yards.
His best season came during his sophomore season in 1992, when The Sporting News
named him a second-team All-American running back after he rushed for 1,339 yards (3rd all-time for a single season at Texas A&M) and became the fastest running back in Southwest Conference history to reach 2,000 career yards.
In 1993, he set a record for longest run by an Aggie with a 94-yard scamper against TCU
(later broken by D'Andre "Tiki" Hardeman). He finished his A&M career with 3,262 rushing yards - 3rd all-time for the Aggies, and added 33 touchdowns (5th all-time).
The only blemish on his career at Texas A&M was his involvement in a scandal in which 9 players received money from a booster
for work that they did not perform. This led to an NCAA investigation that resulted in Texas A&M being put on probation and being banned from television appearances and postseason competition during the 1994 season. The timing of this penalty was particularly painful for Aggie football, as the team was unbeaten that season, yet unable to participate in a bowl game
. Many Aggie fans felt jilted, as Hill declared early for the NFL draft
just days after the NCAA sanctions were announced.
in the 1st round (25th overall) of the 1994 NFL Draft
, the 3rd Texas A&M player chosen in the first round that year behind Sam Adams
and Aaron Glenn
. Once again he made an immediate impact in his first season playing well as a backup to legend Marcus Allen
, picking up 574 yards rushing and averaging 4.1 per carry
. He appeared in all 16 games and making one start
. He had the third-most rushing yards among all AFC
rookie
s and was the Chiefs leading rusher in five games.
The following season he moved into a platoon role with Allen, appearing in all 16 contests and again making one start. He had the first 100-yard game of his career with 109 yards on 15 carries (7.3-yard avg.) in the season opener on September 3 vs. Seattle
. Allen and Hill formed a formidable tandem, combining for 1,557 yards (667 of those gained by Hill). The Chiefs had an impressive year, finishing 13-3, but lost to an underdog Indianapolis Colts
team in their first playoff game.
The Allen-Hill platoon continued in the 1996 season
, in which the Chiefs were picked by many to win the AFC. Although Hill played well, rushing for 645 yards on a 4.8 average, the Chiefs were disappointing, going 9-7 and narrowly missing the playoffs.
Hill and Allen switched roles in 1997
with Hill becoming the starter and the veteran Allen spelling him in relief. Although Hill started every game for the Chiefs that year, it was a disappointing season for him as he finished with only 550 yards with a subpar 3.5 average per carry. Hill was granted free agency
after the 1997 season
and signed with the St. Louis Rams
.
Hill once again made a quick start in 1998
, leading the league in rushing and scoring with 240 yards and 4 touchdowns on a 6.0 average through the first two games of the season. Regrettably, he broke his leg during the third game and never saw the field again for St. Louis. Hill fell to second-string when the Rams acquired Marshall Faulk
, the best all-purpose back in the NFL during that era, two days before the NFL draft
.
The unexpected retirement of Barry Sanders
two days before the 1999
training camp opened left the Detroit Lions
thin at running back, so they acquired Hill from St. Louis in exchange for two draft picks to help fill that void. Hill started eight games in 1999 and rushed for 542 yards and two touchdowns. He was released by the Lions after that season.
Hill spent the 2000 season
out of football and although there were rumors that Marty Schottenheimer
(who coached Hill in Kansas City) and the Washington Redskins
would pick Hill up for the 2001 season
, it was not to be. Hill never returned to the NFL.
In six career seasons in the NFL, Hill rushed for 3,218 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Hill was an on-air talent with Kevin Scott on KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan until June 22, 2009.
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
who played in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
from 1994 to 1999.
High school
Hill attended David W. Carter High SchoolDavid W. Carter High School
David Wendel Carter High School is a public school located in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, Texas . David W. Carter High School, which covers grades 9-12, is a part of the Dallas Independent School District....
in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, where he was a highly recruited running back and was named to all-district, all-Texas, and All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
teams after rushing
Rush (American football)
Rushing has two different meanings in gridiron football .-Offense:The first is an action taken by the offensive team that means to advance the ball by running, as opposed to passing. A run is technically any play that does not involve a forward pass...
for 1,122 yards and 14 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s as a senior in 1989. He had transferred from Bishop Dunne Catholic School
Bishop Dunne Catholic School
Bishop Dunne Catholic School is a private Middle/High college prep school located in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, Texas . It is currently the only 6-12 school within the city of Dallas to hold an exemplary accreditation rating from the Southern Association of Colleges and School .-History and...
prior to his senior year.
College
He starred collegiatelyCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
, where in 1991 he made an immediate impact in the first game of his freshman year by rushing for 212 yards (which is still an NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
freshman debut record) in a 45-7 Aggie thrashing of LSU
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
. He would go on to set the A&M freshman rushing record that year at 1,216 yards.
His best season came during his sophomore season in 1992, when The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
named him a second-team All-American running back after he rushed for 1,339 yards (3rd all-time for a single season at Texas A&M) and became the fastest running back in Southwest Conference history to reach 2,000 career yards.
In 1993, he set a record for longest run by an Aggie with a 94-yard scamper against TCU
TCU Horned Frogs football
The TCU Horned Frogs football team is the intercollegiate football team of Texas Christian University. TCU competes as a member of the Mountain West Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, but will move to the Big 12 Conference for the 2012 season. TCU began playing football...
(later broken by D'Andre "Tiki" Hardeman). He finished his A&M career with 3,262 rushing yards - 3rd all-time for the Aggies, and added 33 touchdowns (5th all-time).
The only blemish on his career at Texas A&M was his involvement in a scandal in which 9 players received money from a booster
Booster club
A booster club is an organization that is formed to support an associated club, sports team, or organization. Booster clubs are popular in American schools at the high school and university level...
for work that they did not perform. This led to an NCAA investigation that resulted in Texas A&M being put on probation and being banned from television appearances and postseason competition during the 1994 season. The timing of this penalty was particularly painful for Aggie football, as the team was unbeaten that season, yet unable to participate in a bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
. Many Aggie fans felt jilted, as Hill declared early for the NFL draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
just days after the NCAA sanctions were announced.
NFL
Hill was selected by the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
in the 1st round (25th overall) of the 1994 NFL Draft
1994 NFL Draft
The 1994 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 1994. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and...
, the 3rd Texas A&M player chosen in the first round that year behind Sam Adams
Sam Adams (football player)
Sam Aaron Adams, Jr. is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1994 NFL Draft...
and Aaron Glenn
Aaron Glenn
Aaron DeVon Glenn is a retired American football cornerback. He last played for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League, although he joined the Houston Texans prior to retirement so he could retire with his former team. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the first...
. Once again he made an immediate impact in his first season playing well as a backup to legend Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
, picking up 574 yards rushing and averaging 4.1 per carry
Carry (American football)
In American football, a carry is a statistical term equivalent to a single rushing play. The term is typically used in reference to "yards per carry," meaning yards per attempt rushing the ball. Any offensive player who performs a carry is known as a ballcarrier, regardless of position....
. He appeared in all 16 games and making one start
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
. He had the third-most rushing yards among all AFC
American Football Conference
The American Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the National Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL....
rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
s and was the Chiefs leading rusher in five games.
The following season he moved into a platoon role with Allen, appearing in all 16 contests and again making one start. He had the first 100-yard game of his career with 109 yards on 15 carries (7.3-yard avg.) in the season opener on September 3 vs. Seattle
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. Allen and Hill formed a formidable tandem, combining for 1,557 yards (667 of those gained by Hill). The Chiefs had an impressive year, finishing 13-3, but lost to an underdog Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
team in their first playoff game.
The Allen-Hill platoon continued in the 1996 season
1996 Kansas City Chiefs season
The 1996 Kansas City Chiefs season resulted in a 9–7 record and second place finish in the AFC West. Following the Chiefs' painful loss in the playoffs the year before, the Chiefs could not match their might from 1995...
, in which the Chiefs were picked by many to win the AFC. Although Hill played well, rushing for 645 yards on a 4.8 average, the Chiefs were disappointing, going 9-7 and narrowly missing the playoffs.
Hill and Allen switched roles in 1997
1997 Kansas City Chiefs season
The 1997 Kansas City Chiefs were an above-average football team without any major flaws. The 1997 Chiefs are widely considered a major disappointment. The Chiefs finished with a 13–3 record and AFC West division champions...
with Hill becoming the starter and the veteran Allen spelling him in relief. Although Hill started every game for the Chiefs that year, it was a disappointing season for him as he finished with only 550 yards with a subpar 3.5 average per carry. Hill was granted free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after the 1997 season
1997 NFL season
The 1997 NFL season was the 78th regular season of the National Football League. The Oilers relocated from Houston, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee...
and signed with the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
.
Hill once again made a quick start in 1998
1998 St. Louis Rams season
The 1998 St. Louis Rams season was the team's 61st year with the National Football League and the fourth season in St. Louis.-Schedule:...
, leading the league in rushing and scoring with 240 yards and 4 touchdowns on a 6.0 average through the first two games of the season. Regrettably, he broke his leg during the third game and never saw the field again for St. Louis. Hill fell to second-string when the Rams acquired Marshall Faulk
Marshall Faulk
Marshall William Faulk is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League. He is currently an analyst for NFL Total Access, Thursday Night Football, and NFL GameDay Morning on the NFL Network...
, the best all-purpose back in the NFL during that era, two days before the NFL draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
.
The unexpected retirement of Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders is a former American football running back who spent all of his professional career with the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Sanders left the game just short of the all-time rushing record...
two days before the 1999
1999 NFL season
The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season...
training camp opened left the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
thin at running back, so they acquired Hill from St. Louis in exchange for two draft picks to help fill that void. Hill started eight games in 1999 and rushed for 542 yards and two touchdowns. He was released by the Lions after that season.
Hill spent the 2000 season
2000 NFL season
The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants.Week 1 of the season reverted to Labor Day weekend in 2000...
out of football and although there were rumors that Marty Schottenheimer
Marty Schottenheimer
Martin Edward "Marty" Schottenheimer is the current head coach of the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. Over his career, he has served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, and San Diego Chargers. He has the most wins of any NFL coach...
(who coached Hill in Kansas City) and the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
would pick Hill up for the 2001 season
2001 NFL season
The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
, it was not to be. Hill never returned to the NFL.
In six career seasons in the NFL, Hill rushed for 3,218 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Hill was an on-air talent with Kevin Scott on KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan until June 22, 2009.