Jerry Hill (American football)

Born and raised in southeastern Wyoming, Hill played college football at the University of Wyoming in Laramie under head coach Bob Devaney. He was an All-Skyline Conference running back in 1959 and 1960, and was part of the 1958 team that won the Sun Bowl in his sophomore season.^[1]

Hill was selected as Wyoming football's Player of the 20th Century in 1992.^[2] He finished his collegiate career with 1,374 rushing yards on 288 carries. He was named as an Honorable Mention All-American in 1959 and 1960.

Selected in the third round (35th overall) of the 1961 NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts he played with them through 1970, including Super Bowls III and V. Hill was primarily used as a blocking back for other rushers such as Lenny Moore and Tom Matte and protecting John Unitas from blitzing linebackers. Hill's best season was in 1965, when he led the team in rushing with 516 yards.

Baltimore-based National Brewing Company introduced Colt 45 malt liquor in 1963. The Pabst Brewing Company (current owners of the beverage) claims on their website the "Fun Fact" that Colt 45 was named after Hill, who was #45 on the 1963 Baltimore Colts, and not the .45 caliber cartridge of the same name.^[3] However, Hill described the claim as a "rumor," and stated that he never made any endorsements or received any royalties for the alleged use of his name.^[4] In a 2020 interview, Hill stated that "They wanted to name the product Colt 45 … I just happened to be the Colt who was wearing 45."^[5]