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| Who Is Harlon
Hill? |
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As a senior at Florence State Teachers College (now the University of
North Alabama) in 1953, Hill caught only 12 passes for a ground-oriented, single-wing
attack. Hill received small college All-America acclaim as an end, and was later
drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 15th round of the National Football League
Draft. The Bears felt they could afford to wait until the late rounds to draft Hill
because even though they knew very little about him, the other NFL teams knew even less.
As a rookie for the Chicago Bears, Hill caught 45 passes for
1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead the club in all three categories. His
performance helped take the Bears from a 3-8-1 record in 1953 to a 8-4 mark in 1954.
On October 31, in San Francisco, Hill caught seven passes from quarterback George
Blanda for 214 yards and four touchdowns, in a 31-27 win over the 49er's. Hill's
fourth TD catch of the day was a game-winning 66 yarder with only 33 seconds left in the
game. The four TD's in a game still stands as a Bear's club record. At the
conclusion of the season, Hill was selected as All-Pro, played in the Pro Bowl in Los
Angeles for the West squad that won 26-19. Hill was chosen as the National Football
League Rookie of the Year.
In his second NFL season, Hill again led the Bears with 42
catches for 789 yards and nine touchdowns. He became the first winner of the Jim
Thorpe Trophy--symbolic of the National Football Leagues Most Valuable Player. He
also was captain for the West squad in the Pro Bowl, and again named All-Pro.
In 1956, Hill had 47 catches for 1,128 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He helped Chicago to a 9-2-1 record, and a spot in the Championship Game against
the New York Giants--where they were defeated 47-7. Hill was selected All-Pro for
the third straight year, and made his third appearance in the Pro Bowl.
In 1958, a severe ankle injury blunted the speed which made Hill
the NFL's most feared deep receiver. He eventually shifted from wide receiver to
defensive back.
Harlon Hill still holds numerous receiving records for the
Chicago Bears, including most 100-yard receiving games in a career with 19. Other
records include, most 100-yard games in a season (7), consecutive 100-yard games (3), most
seasons with 1,000 yards receiving (2), most yards receiving in a game (214), and most
touchdowns in a game (4). Hill ranks second all-time in career yards with 4,616, is
second in average yards per reception (24.98), and career touchdowns (40). Hill
still makes his home here in Florence. |
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Harlon
Hill's College Totals
| Year |
Team |
Games |
Catches |
Yards |
Average |
TD's |
Points |
1950 |
Florence State College |
9 |
2 |
23 |
11.5 |
2 |
12 |
1951 |
Florence State College |
9 |
22 |
372 |
16.9 |
6 |
36 |
| 1952 |
Florence State College |
9 |
18 |
379 |
21.0 |
7 |
42 |
| 1953 |
Florence State College |
8 |
12 |
246 |
20.5 |
4 |
24 |
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College Totals |
35 |
54 |
1,020 |
18.8 |
35 |
114 |
Harlon
Hill's NFL Totals
| Year |
Team |
Games |
Catches |
Yards |
Average |
TD's |
Points |
| 1954 |
Chicago Bears |
12 |
45 |
1,124 |
25.0 |
12 |
72 |
| 1955 |
Chicago Bears |
12 |
42 |
789 |
18.8 |
9 |
54 |
| 1956 |
Chicago Bears |
12 |
47 |
1,128 |
24.0 |
11 |
66 |
| 1957 |
Chicago Bears |
8 |
21 |
483 |
23.0 |
2 |
12 |
| 1958 |
Chicago Bears |
8 |
27 |
365 |
13.5 |
3 |
18 |
| 1959 |
Chicago Bears |
11 |
36 |
578 |
16.1 |
3 |
18 |
| 1960 |
Chicago Bears |
12 |
5 |
98 |
19.6 |
0 |
0 |
| 1961 |
Chicago Bears |
14 |
3 |
51 |
17.0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1962 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
7 |
7 |
101 |
14.4 |
0 |
0 |
| 1962 |
Detroit Lions |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
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NFL Totals |
103 |
233 |
4,717 |
20.2 |
40 |
240 |
Harlon Hill's
Football Career
| 1946-49 |
Lauderdale
County High School |
1950-53-Florence
State Teachers College
(now University of North Alabama) |
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| 1950-53 |
Four-year
letterman at end
1952-53 - Team Captain
1953 - NAIA All-American |
| 1955 |
Received his
B.S. degree in Education |
| 1954-61-Chicago
Bears |
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| 1954 |
National
Football League Rookie of the Year |
| 1955 |
Winner of
the first Jim Thorpe Trophy as
National Football League Most Valuable Player |
| 1954, 55, 56 |
All-Pro |
| 1955, 56, 57 |
Pro Bowl |
| 1956 |
Captian of
West squad in Pro Bowl |
| 1958 |
Selected to
Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame |
| 1962 |
Pittsburgh
Steelers |
| 1962 |
Detroit
Lions |
| 1969 |
Received his
Master's degree in Education from University of North
Alabama |
| 1976 |
Selected to
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame |
| 1986 |
Creation of
the Harlon Hill Trophy |
| 1990 |
Inducted
into University of North Alabama
Athletic Hall of Fame |
| 1998 |
Selected for
50th Anniversary UNA Football Team |
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�
Copyright 2002
All Rights Reserved
Harlon Hill Award Committee
Florence, AL
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