Mack Lee Hill facts for kids
circa 1965
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| No. 36 | |||||||||||||
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| Position: | Fullback | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | August 17, 1940 Quincy, Florida |
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| Died: | December 14, 1965 (aged 25) Kansas City, Missouri |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Quincy (FL) Carter-Parramore | ||||||||||||
| College: | Southern | ||||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 1964 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
Mack Lee Hill (born August 17, 1940 – died December 14, 1965) was an exciting American football player. He played as a running back for Southern University and later for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League (AFL). Sadly, he passed away suddenly after knee surgery, just two days after playing a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Mack Lee Hill's Football Journey
Mack Lee Hill grew up in Quincy, Florida. He joined the Chiefs in 1964 as a rookie, meaning it was his first year playing professionally. He came from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He signed with the team for only $300, and he would only get paid if he made the team.
He quickly became a star player. In his first season, he was the team's second-best rusher. He ran for 567 yards and scored four touchdowns. After this amazing rookie year, he was chosen to play in the AFL All-Star Game.
In 1965, his second season, he continued to play very well. He gained 627 yards, which was again the second-most on the team. His teammates called him "The Truck" because of how powerfully he ran with the ball.
A Sudden Loss
On December 12, 1965, Mack Lee Hill was playing in a game against the Buffalo Bills. During the game, he injured his right knee. He tore a ligament, which is a tough band of tissue that connects bones. This injury meant he needed surgery to fix it.
Two days later, on December 14, he had the surgery in Kansas City, Missouri. While he was still in the operating room, a very serious medical problem happened. Doctors later said he suffered a "sudden and massive embolism." This is when something, like a blood clot, blocks a blood vessel. Sadly, Mack Lee Hill passed away about an hour and a half after his surgery.
His coach, Hank Stram, spoke highly of him. He said, "Mack Lee Hill was a fine gentleman and a great football player. He was probably one of the most unselfish players I have ever coached. He was completely dedicated to the team. Football was his life."
His Lasting Legacy
Even though Mack Lee Hill's career was short, his impact on the Kansas City Chiefs was huge. To honor him, the Chiefs created the Mack Lee Hill Award. This award is given every year to the team's best rookie player. It helps remember his amazing start to his career.
Also, the Chiefs retired his jersey number, 36. This means no other player on the team will ever wear that number again. It's a special way to remember Mack Lee Hill and his contributions to the team. He had one son.
See also
- List of American Football League players
- List of American football players who died during their career
