Calvin Hill

Born on January 2, 1947, in Baltimore, MD, Calvin Hill established himself as a multi-sport athlete at Riverdale Country School before attending Yale, where he excelled in football and track and field. His collegiate career concluded with an undefeated 1968 season for Yale and a school record in the outdoor triple jump. This strong academic and athletic foundation led to his selection by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft, a notable achievement for an Ivy League player at the time. Hill’s professional career began with immediate impact, earning him NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 1969 and establishing him as a prominent figure in the league.

Throughout his 12-season NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Cleveland Browns, Hill distinguished himself as a dynamic running back. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection (1969, 1972, 1973, 1974) and a key component of the Cowboys’ success, including their Super Bowl VI victory in 1972. Hill made history as the first Cowboys running back to achieve a 1,000-yard rushing season in 1972, a feat he repeated in 1973. Despite a brief stint with The Hawaiians in the World Football League in 1975, his primary contributions remained in the NFL, where he accumulated 6,083 rushing yards and 2,861 receiving yards, along with 65 touchdowns.

Beyond his playing days, Hill has continued to contribute to sports and community. He served on the board of directors for the Baltimore Orioles and later as their Vice President for Personnel. He also works as a consultant for the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns, focusing on player support and well-being. Hill is a corporate motivational speaker, addressing topics such as health, leadership, and the critical balance between sports and academics, drawing from his diverse career path to inspire various audiences.