Peyton Hillis

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Hillis began his professional journey in Denver, where he was listed as the starting fullback before injuries thrust him into the running back role. In 2008, he recorded his first 100-yard rushing game with 129 yards against the New York Jets and earned Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors. However, a hamstring tear in a home win over the Kansas City Chiefs ended his season early. After being traded to Cleveland on March 14, 2010, for quarterback Brady Quinn, Hillis exploded onto the scene. He rushed for 144 yards against the Baltimore Ravens and set career highs with 184 rushing yards and 220 total offense against the New England Patriots in Week 9, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week. By December 12, 2010, he crossed the 1,000-yard threshold, a feat highlighted by an eight-yard rush preceded by a 25-yard run.

In Their Own Story

The anticipation for Hillis in Cleveland was high following his active stint in Denver. Early in the 2010 season, injuries to Jerome Harrison and James Davis forced him into the starting lineup against Baltimore, where he dominated with a 6.5 yards per carry average. His momentum continued as he led the Browns to their first victory of the year against the Cincinnati Bengals. In Week 12, he joined Marshall Faulk as the only players to record over 130 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and 60 receiving yards in a single game. Despite his breakout success, negotiations for an extension failed in 2011. He struggled with hamstring injuries and missed time due to strep throat before finishing the year with 587 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Reader's Guide

Hillis's college career at the University of Arkansas from 2004 to 2007 laid the groundwork for his NFL success, where he majored in sociology. As a true freshman, he scored eight touchdowns, tying Georgia's Thomas Brown for the most by an SEC freshman. He served as a crucial blocker for stars Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, helping them achieve consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. In 2006, despite injury-shortened appearances, he helped Arkansas win the SEC Western Division Championship. His senior year in 2007 was highlighted by a triple-overtime upset of #1 LSU, where he recorded two rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns. Over his college career, his blocking prowess contributed to Arkansas being one of the nation's most prolific running teams.

Did You Know?

• Hillis was selected with the 227th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft.
• He became the first Cleveland Browns running back to win AFC Offensive Player of the Week since Eric Metcalf in 1992.
• In a vote for the Madden NFL 12 cover, Hillis defeated Michael Vick with 66 percent of the vote.
• During his senior year at Arkansas, he helped the team defeat #1 LSU in triple overtime 50-48, marking their first win over a top-ranked team since 1981.
• Hillis rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2010, becoming the first white running back to do so since Craig James in 1985.