SAN DIEGO – NOVEMBER 20: Running back Ronnie Hillman #13 of the San Deigo State Aztecs carries the ball on a five yard touchdown run in the second quarter against the Utah Utes at Qualcomm Stadium on November 20, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Ronnie Hillman, an all-time great San Diego State running back, died Wednesday in hospice care from a rare form of cancer, his family wrote on Hillman's Instagram account.
"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother & father, Ronnie K. Hillman Jr.," his family wrote.
"Ronnie quietly and peacefully transitioned today in the company of his family and close friends," his family continued.
Hillman's family had released a statement Tuesday saying the 31-year-old was diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma in August. Renal Medullary carcinoma is a rare cancer of the kidney.
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On Tuesday, the Hillman family released a statement to TMZ saying Hillman has undergone treatment, but it had not been successful.
“As a family, we hope beyond hope, and we have faith that can move mountains,” the family said, per TMZ. “We also understand that God’s will is not always ours; therefore, we as a family subject ourselves to the will of our Almighty God. We need your prayers, but we also need your understanding and respect for Ronnie and our family’s privacy at this time.”
Before being drafted to the NFL, Hillman played for San Diego State in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Hillman was a human highlight during his 2 seasons with the Aztecs, rushing for 3,243 yards and 36 touchdowns.
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Hillman was the Broncos’ leading rusher on their Super Bowl 50 winning team in 2015, he started 10 out of 16 games and ran for 863 yards on 207 carries, seven of them touchdowns.
Hillman spent four seasons with Denver before spending the 2016 season with both the Minnesota Vikings and the San Diego Chargers.
