Rams News

Hill bids farewell to Kansas City

By RANDY COVITZ - Staff Writer
Date: 04/06/98 22:15

Former Chiefs running back Greg Hill fought back the tears on Monday.

In an emotional farewell at UMKC's School of Education building, Hill presented checks totaling $27,000 to UMKC's PACE Program for single parents and to the Kansas City Public Library.

That wasn't Hill's only message. Hill also expressed his frustrations with the Chiefs, who drafted him with their No. 1 pick in 1994 but limited his carries to fewer than 10 a game, even as a starter.

"Sometimes it was like the `Hokey Pokey' game," said Hill, whose contract was not renewed after the 1997 season, making him a free agent.

" `You put your left foot in, you take your left foot out. You put Greg Hill in, you take Greg Hill out.' The whole game was like that. So I never really felt like I got a fair opportunity to go out and do the things I wanted to do."

Hill started all 16 games for the Chiefs last season and led the team in rushing with 550 yards in 157 attempts. But he had more than 10 carries only five times all season as the club, which ranked fifth in the NFL, spread most of the attempts among four backs.

"Not to make comparisons, but you've got guys like Barry Sanders that at halftime have 38 yards and finish up with a 140- or a 200-yard game," Hill said. "There were games I would go out and be hot, and I would always get pulled out of the game."

Indeed, Hill opened the Nov. 16 game against Denver with a 35-yard run on the first play from scrimmage and didn't touch the ball until two fourth-quarter carries. Against Oakland on Dec. 7, he caught a pass and went 39 yards on the first possession but handled the ball only six more times.

And in the playoff loss to Denver, he carried once -- on the first play of the game.

"I'd come home sometimes, and I wouldn't even be tired,' he said. "It hurt my heart to be in those games, to be doing my thing and then come over to the sideline."

But during the season, Hill kept his frustration to himself.

"The team aspect of us winning was more important to me," Hill said.

Hill, resplendent in a dark, pinstripe suit and with a wedding band on his left hand, was married in February. He and his wife, Malinda, had a daughter, Jordan Paige, on April 2. But he has put his Overland Park home on the market and is living in his native Dallas for the time being.

Hill said St. Louis and New England have shown the most interest in signing him, but he doesn't expect to work out a deal until after the draft.

Hill's greatest disappointment is he won't be playing for his mentor, Jimmy Raye, who was promoted from running-backs coach to offensive coordinator this year.

Hill broke down and could not speak for about 12 seconds when asked about his relationship with Raye.

"Jimmy Raye told me, `Channel that energy into your opportunity,' " Hill said. "When I get my opportunity, I've got a lot of energy saved up to channel. And I'm blessed because I haven't been hurt, still can do all the things I was able to do when I first came out in the draft, and I'm one of the guys anybody should want on their team."

Hill understood coach Marty Schottenheimer's desire to use a committee of running backs.

"Marty always wanted to make sure every player on his team had an opportunity to contribute," Hill said. "Sometimes we had 17 carries in one game, and we split that among three or four guys.

"I deserved to carry the ball 300 times a year. But you've got Marcus Allen, who I owe so much to. I was so glad I got a chance to play with him. He's an instant Hall of Famer. And you've got Kimble Anders, who's gone to three Pro Bowls...."

Now, it's time to find an opportunity elsewhere.

"Wherever I go, I'm going to be the man," Hill said. "I'm going to get 300 carries a season."

The dollar amount of Hill's contributions represents the No. 27 Hill wore with the Chiefs. PACE stands for Program for Adult Continuing Education and focuses on flexible class schedules that allow working adults to complete their college educations.

"My mother was a single parent and never got a chance to finish her education," Hill said.

Hill's "Option 27" program connects high school students with elementary students in a mentoring capacity and is administered by the Kansas City Missouri Public Library and takes place at libraries across the city.

Hill said his Greg Hill Time Charitable Foundation donated about $45,000 during his four years with the Chiefs.

"Wherever I go from here to play football, I'll try to start something there, too," he said.

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