Ronnie Hillman, the former Denver Broncos running back who helped Peyton Manning win a Super bowl, has died after a lengthy battle with cancer, his family announced Wednesday.
He was just 31 years old.
"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother & father, Ronnie K Hillman Jr.," the family said in a statement. "Ronnie quietly and peacefully transitioned today in the company of his family and close friends."
The 2012 third-round pick had been diagnosed in August with Renal Medullary Carcinoma -- a rare form of cancer that affects young African Americans with sickle cell trait.