Rod Hill at Winnipeg Blue Bomber Grey Cup parade November 27, 1990. Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press
During February and Black History Month we salute some of the black players who have played significant roles in the Blue Bombers long history.
Today: Rod Hill – cornerback from 1988-92
Rod Hill was already several seasons into his professional career when he arrived in Winnipeg as a 29-year-old former first-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys.
He played his college ball at Kentucky State and suited up with Dallas, Buffalo, Detroit and the Los Angeles Raiders before he truly found a home – both on the field and off it – in Winnipeg with the Blue Bombers.
Hill was part of two Grey Cup championship teams in Winnipeg, playing key roles in the 1988 and 1990 titles and was a CFL All-Star in 1989 and 1990. Hill’s impact as a shut-down corner was instant and to this day he remains the franchise’s all-time interception leader with 47 picks. He holds the CFL record for interceptions in a game, stealing five in a win over Hamilton in 1990.
Just as important was the impact he has left in the community. Hill was named the winner of the Ed Kotowich ‘Good Guy Award’ in 1990 for charitable work and he has remained an active member of the Blue Bomber Alumni while working and raising a family.
Hill was inducted into the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame in 1996.
