photo courtesy of Twitter
Former Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman has died at just 31 years old after a short bout in hospice, according to an Instagram post on Thursday.
The NFL player was being treated for renal medullary carcinoma, defined by Hillman’s family as a “rare but highly aggressive neoplasm form of cancer that primarily affects young African Americans with sickle cell trait.”
Prior to his passing, the heartfelt Instagram said that ‘Ronnie quietly and peacefully transitioned…in the company of his family and close friends,”
On the day before his death, his family explained his health situation to TMZ and asked for prayers and well wishes.
“As a family, we hope beyond hope, and we have faith that can move mountains,” the family expressed. “We also understand that God’s will is not always ours; therefore, we as a family subject ourselves to the will of our Almighty God.”
“We need your prayers, but we also need your understanding and respect for Ronnie and our family’s privacy at this time.”
Hillman’s fellow Broncos player, Orlando Franklin, posted in disbelief about the news on Twitter. “#Broncos Country, please pray for Ronnie Hillman. He’s in hospice and not doing well,” Franklin tweeted. “Lord, please have mercy, please. This ain’t fair. Please, god, please.”
Hillman was a successful player at the peak of his career, helping the Broncos to win the Super Bowl 50 as a running back.