James D. Hill (born October 30, 1948) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils. databasefootball.com He was the first wide receiver selected in the 1971 NFL draft at fourth overall in the first round by the Bills.Wallace, William N. "Patriots Choose Plunkett as No. 1 in College Draft, Spurning Trade Offers," The New York Times, Friday, January 29, 1971. Retrieved November 2, 20201971 NFL Draft Pick Transactions, January 28 (Rounds 1–7) & 29 (Rounds 8–17) – Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved November 2, 2020 His son, Lonzell Hill, also played wide receiver in the NFL. Another son, Shelby Hill, was a wide receiver for Syracuse University.
In 2014 Hill and seven other players were named as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the NFL. It alleges he, and more than 400 others were illegally given narcotics to mask the pain so they could play in games. "I became addicted and turned to the streets after my career and was homeless. Never took a drug in my life, and I became a junkie in the NFL" he said.
NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high
Regular season Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1971 BUF 5 5 11 216 19.6 47 2 1972 BUF 14 14 52 754 14.5 58 5 1973 BUF 14 14 29 422 14.6 42 0 1974 BUF 14 14 32 572 17.9 55 6 1975 BUF 14 13 36 667 18.5 77 7 1976 DET 1 1 1 2 2.0 2 0 1977 DET 11 11 24 247 10.3 23 1 73 72 185 2,880 15.6 77 21
Playoffs Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1974 BUF 1 1 4 59 14.8 20 0 1 1 4 59 14.8 20 0
References