Ray Hill (American football) facts for kids

Raymond Millous Hill (born August 7, 1975 – died August 6, 2015) was a talented American football player. He played as a defensive back for the Michigan State Spartans in college. After college, he played for four seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

He spent time with the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills. In 2001, he joined the New England Patriots. He was part of the team that won Super Bowl XXXVI. Sadly, he got a leg injury before the season started and could not play that year. Ray's younger brother, Renaldo Hill, also played in the NFL.

Early Life and High School Football

Ray Hill grew up in Detroit, Michigan. He went to Chadsey High School. There, he was a key player on the football team. He started as a defensive back for three years.

College Football Career

Ray Hill played college football for the Michigan State Spartans. He was a starter for three years, from 1995 to 1997. His coach at Michigan State was Nick Saban.

During his time with the Spartans, Ray made 115 solo tackles. He also caught six interceptions and caused four fumbles. In 1997, he was chosen for the second-team All-Big Ten Conference. That year, he had 68 tackles and intercepted four passes. He also led his team by causing three fumbles. Ray set a new record for the Spartans in one season. He broke up 16 passes, which means he stopped the ball from reaching the other team's players.

Professional Football Journey

Playing for the Buffalo Bills

Ray Hill first joined the Buffalo Bills on April 24, 1998. He was an undrafted rookie, meaning no team picked him in the main draft. He played in four games, mostly as a backup. He made three tackles on special teams. Special teams are units that play during kickoffs and punts.

Time with the Miami Dolphins

On November 19, 1998, the Miami Dolphins picked up Ray from the Bills. He played in two regular season games for the Dolphins. He also played in his first two playoff games with them.

In 1999, Ray played in all 16 regular season games. He made one tackle and defended one pass on defense. He was also very good on special teams. He made 14 tackles, which was the sixth-highest on the team. He also forced a fumble. Ray played in both playoff games after the 1999 season.

Ray signed with the Dolphins again on May 5, 2000. During the 2000 season, he made seven tackles on special teams. He also defended one pass. The Dolphins released him on October 25, 2000.

Back to the Buffalo Bills

On December 12, 2000, Ray Hill went back to the Buffalo Bills. He played on special teams for the last five weeks of the season. He made four tackles during this time. After the season, he became a free agent again. He re-signed with the Bills but was later released on June 1, 2001.

Joining the New England Patriots

On June 11, 2001, the New England Patriots picked up Ray Hill. This was a big move for him. However, he got a leg injury on August 18, 2001. This happened during a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Because of this injury, Ray was placed on injured reserve on August 28, 2001. This meant he could not play for the entire season. Even though he didn't play, he was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl XXXVI that year.

Personal Life and Passing

Ray Hill lived in Allen, Texas. He worked as a Juvenile Case Manager. This job involves helping young people who have had problems. Ray passed away on August 6, 2015. He died from colon cancer, just one day before his 40th birthday.