Harlon Hill, a former football All-American at UNA, passed away March 28 at the age of 80.

Hill, for whom the Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II College Footbal Player of the Year award) is named, graduated from UNA with a B.S. in Education in 1955.

“He was a legend and an inspiration to so many,” said Assistant Athletic Director Jeff Hodges in a press release. “In our 27-year relationship with the Hill Trophy, Harlon was always very gracious and humbled that his story and legacy could be used to inspire new generations of student-athletes to excel and dream of what they could accomplish.”

Hill was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 1954 NFL Draft and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1954 after catching 45 passes for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns.

In 1955 he became the first recipient of the Jim Thorpe Trophy as the NFL Most Valuable Player.

Hill played nine seasons in the NFL (1954-62) with the Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions.

In 1986 he became the namesake for the Harlon Hill Trophy. The award has been presented for the last 27 years.

Hill was inducted into the Lauderdale County Sports Hall of Fame, the University of North Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame, the Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

More than 50 years after his playing career ended in Chicago, Hill still holds records on the team.