View source for Roy Hilton

{{Short description|American football player (1943–2019)}}
{{for|the English boxer|Roy Hilton (boxer)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox CFL biography
| name = Roy Hilton
| image = Hilton-Roy-1970.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = 
| birth_date = {{birth date|1943|3|23}}
| birth_place = [[Hazlehurst, Mississippi]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2019|1|6|1943|3|23}}
| death_place = [[Towson, Maryland]], U.S.
| team = 
| number = 85, 78
| status = 
| position1 = [[Defensive end]]
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 6
| weight_lb = 240
| college = [[Jackson State University|Jackson State]]
| NFLDraftedYear = 1965
| NFLDraftedRound = 15
| NFLDraftedPick = 210
| NFLDraftedTeam = <small>[[Baltimore Colts]]</small>
| AFLDraftedYear = 1965
| AFLDraftedRound = 8
| AFLDraftedPick = 59
| AFLDraftedTeam = <small>[[Tennessee Titans|Houston Oilers]]</small>
| playing_years1 = [[1965 AFL season|1965]]–[[1973 NFL season|1973]]
| playing_team1 = Baltimore Colts
| playing_years2 = [[1974 NFL season|1974]]
| playing_team2 = [[New York Giants]]
| playing_years3 = [[1975 NFL season|1975]]
| playing_team3 = [[Atlanta Falcons]]
| career_highlights = 
* [[NFL champion]] ([[1968 NFL Championship Game|1968]])
* Super Bowl Champion ([[Super Bowl V|V]])
| statlabel1 = Games Played
| statvalue1 = 151
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 83
| statlabel3 = Interceptions
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = INT TDs
| statvalue4 = 1
| statlabel5 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue5 = 7
| statlabel6 = Sacks <small>(Unofficial)</small>
| statvalue6 = 40.5
| DatabaseFootball = HILTOROY01
}}

'''Roy Lee Hilton''' (March 23, 1943 – January 6, 2019) was an [[American football]] [[defensive end]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) from 1965 through 1975.

==Biography==
===Early life===

Roy Hilton was born March 23, 1943, in [[Hazlehurst, Mississippi]], a town of about 3,100 people located in the southwestern part of the state. He attended Parrish High School.<ref name=MG68>[https://archive.org/details/colts-1968-media-guide-baltimore ''Baltimore Colts: 1968 Press, Radio, TV.''] Baltimore, MD: Baltimore Colts, 1968; p. 27.</ref>

===College career===

After graduation from high school, Hilton enrolled at [[Hinds Community College|Utica Junior College]] in [[Utica, Mississippi]].<ref name=Transfer>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-jackson-state-college-foo/141925873/ "Jackson State is Rebuilding,"] ''Jackson Clarion-Ledger,'' April 7, 1963, p. 17.</ref> He transferred to [[Jackson State University|Jackson State College]] in the spring of 1963, in time for fall football season.<ref name=Transfer />

Hilton played both ways for Jackson State, both as a [[defensive end]] and a [[wide receiver]].<ref name=Signs>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-jackson-state-end-roy-hil/141940463/ "Jackson State End is Signed by Baltimore,"] ''Jackson Clarion-Ledger,'' Feb. 12, 1965, p. 13.</ref>

Hilton received a [[bachelor's degree]] in health and physical education from Jackson State in 1965.<ref name=FR74>Joe Marcin and Mike Douchant (eds.), ''Football Register 1974.'' St. Louis: The Sporting News, 1974, p. 145.</ref>

===Professional career===
====Baltimore Colts====
[[File:Hilton-Roy-710103.jpg|thumb|right|Roy Hilton talks to the media following the Colts' defeat of the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game, Jan. 3, 1971.]]
Hilton was selected in both the [[1965 NFL draft|1965 National Football League draft]] and the [[1965 AFL draft|1965 American Football League draft]] — chosen by the NFL's [[Baltimore Colts]] in the 15th round with the 210th overall pick and by the AFL's [[Tennessee Titans|Houston Oilers]] in the 8th round with that draft's 59th pick. He elected to sign with the Colts, inking a deal for the [[1965 NFL season]] in mid-February.<ref name=Signs /> Terms of the contract were undisclosed. The Colts announced that they would be playing Hilton on the defensive side of the ball.<ref name=Signs />

Coming into the NFL as a rookie for the Baltimore Colts in the [[1965 Baltimore Colts season|1965 season]] — Hilton was regarded as "skinny,"<ref name=MG68 /> listed on the club's 1965 roster at a weight of just 225 pounds<ref name=MG65>[https://archive.org/details/colts-1965-media-guide-baltimore ''Baltimore Colts: 1965 Press, Radio, TV.''] Baltimore, MD: Baltimore Colts, 1965; p. 48.</ref> — although the team saw his potential and made a spot on the roster for him as a special teams player. He saw action in all 14 games for the Colts in 1965 and [[1966 Baltimore Colts season|1966]].<ref name=PFR>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HiltRo20.htm "Roy Hilton,"] Pro Football Reference, www.pro-football-reference.com/</ref>

In the [[1967 Baltimore Colts season|1967 season]] he was able to work into starting role at left defensive end, hearing his name called as a starter in 8 of the team's 14 games that year.<ref name=PFR />

This was not long to be, however, with the coming of first round draft pick and future Hall of Famer [[Bubba Smith]], who was moved from reserve [[defensive tackle]] to starting left defensive end effective with the [[1968 Baltimore Colts season|1968 season]].<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitBu00.htm "Bubba Smith,"] Pro Football Reference, www.pro-football-reference.com/</ref>

The 1968 season would be an important one for the Colts, who would win the [[1968 NFL Championship Game]] before suffering an upseat defeat in [[Super Bowl III]] at the hands of [[Joe Namath]] and the upstart [[New York Jets]] of the AFL.

Although with the retirement of [[Ordell Braase]] he found himself a permanent place as starting right defensive end for the Colts in [[1969 Baltimore Colts season|1969]],<ref name=PFR /> Hilton would spend his career in the shadow of his defensive line-mate.

"Bubba was something," Hilton later recalled. "If he got mad and decided he was going to get the quarterback, they simply could not stop him. He was that good. He was bigger and stronger than me..."<ref name=CatchingUp />

The Colts would make it back to the big show after capturing the Western Division crown in the [[1970 NFL season]].

In [[Super Bowl V]], held in January 1971 against the [[Dallas Cowboys]], Hilton played the game of his life. He made two quarterback sacks, four tackles, and hurried quarterback [[Craig Morton]] into making a bad throw that led to a critical interception and the game-tying touchdown.<ref name=CatchingUp>Mike Klingaman, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-catching-up-with-roy-h/141931184/ "Catching Up with Roy Hilton: Colts Defensive End Was No 'Easy Pickings,'"] ''Baltimore Sun,'' Dec. 30, 2011, p. D3.</ref> After the game, Colts head coach [[Don McCafferty]] walked up to Hilton, embraced him, and whispered the single word, "Thanks."<ref name=CatchingUp />

"That was the highlight of my entire career," Hilton later recalled.<ref name=CatchingUp />

A career lowlight came in [[1973 Baltimore Colts season|1973]], when Hilton started eight games before finding himself returned to the bench.<ref name=PFR />

====New York Giants====
The disaffected 31-year old was swapped in June 1974 to the [[New York Giants]] for 25-year old running back [[Joe Orduna]] and a future draft pick,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-colts-obtain-running-bac/141942090/ "Colts Obtain Runner,"] ''Baltimore Evening Sun,'' June 12, 1974, p. 56.</ref> a sixth round selection in the [[1975 NFL draft]].<ref>Norm Miller, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-nfl-roundup-rams-set-to-rope/141992988/ "NFL Roundup: Rams Set to Rope Three Prizes,"] ''New York Daily News,'' Jan. 26, 1975, p. 47. The pick would net Nebraska receiver [[Don Westbrook]], who would never play a down for the Colts.</ref>

Some observers speculated that the trade may have been related to the new front office regime in Baltimore, with new owner [[Robert Irsay]]'s general manager [[Joe Thomas (American football executive)|Joe Thomas]] rapidly emptying the roster of players obtained under owner [[Carroll Rosenbloom]].<ref name=Beard>Gordon Beard, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-mail-hosses-trade-defensive-en/141946731/ "Hosses Trade Hilton"], ''Hagerstown [MD] Daily Mail'', June 12, 1974, p. 33.</ref> With Hilton's departure, only three players remained in blue-and-white from Colts teams before 1972.<ref name=Beard />

The Giants were terrible in [[1974 New York Giants season|1974]], finishing with a record of 2–12. Hilton was there for the entirety, starting all 14 games at left defensive end.<ref name=PFR /> When asked about the miserable season, Hilton replied, "It wasn't bad when if you consider that if I'd stayed in Baltimore, we'd also be 2–12."<ref>William Barry Furlong, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal-its-a-buyers-market/141988050/ "It's a Buyer's Market,"] ''Ithaca Journal,'' Jan. 17, 1975, p. 14.</ref>

As the Giants made their final cuts for the [[1975 NFL season]], the 32-year old Roy Hilton's name was on the list. Though of little consolation, joining Hilton on the Giants' chopping block was his former Colts teammate [[Jim O'Brien (American football)|Jim O'Brien]], the placekicking wide receiver who was the hero of Super Bowl V.<ref>Associated Press, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-jim-obrien-roy-hil/141994104/ "NFL Players Cut,"] ''Macon [GA] Telegraph,'' Sept. 11. 1975, p. 15.</ref>

Hilton was surprised by the Giants' decision to release him. "I came to camp in the best condition of my life, ready to have the best season of my life," Hilton said. "It was kind of a shocker, especially being waived. I had figured they would go with youth, but I thought that meant I would be traded, not cut outright."<ref name=Hudspeth>Ron Hudspeth, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-atlanta-falcons-sign/141994941/ "Falcons Sign Hilton,"] ''Atlanta Journal,'' Oct. 2, 1975, p. 47.</ref>

====Atlanta Falcons====
A landing spot was found with the [[Atlanta Falcons]], who cut veteran defensive lineman [[Rosie Manning]] to make room on the roster for Hilton.<ref name=Hudspeth /> The [[1975 Atlanta Falcons season|season which followed]] would not be the best season of Hilton's life, however, but rather his last.<ref name=PFR />

Hilton's season started well, as the 6'6" pass rusher batted down four passes in his first two games in a Falcons uniform, weeks 3 and 4 victories over Western Division rivals the [[New Orleans Saints]] and the [[San Francisco 49ers]].<ref>Ron Hudspeth, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-cheap-shots-anger-va/141995776/ "Cheap Shots Anger Van Note,"] ''Atlanta Journal,'' Oct. 13, 1975, p. 51.</ref> The Falcons would go into a tailspin, however, dropping their next five games in a row, en route to a record of 4–10, with the defense receiving its share of the blame. Throughout the season, Hilton played a reserve role, starting only one game of the losing campaign.<ref name=PFR />

Hilton approached the [[1976 Atlanta Falcons season]] hopefully. "I am enjoying football now because I think this team has a chance," he told an ''Atlanta Constitution'' reporter. "Football is a unique business. Whereas in other businesses you build up experience and a clientele and gain security with the years, in football it's the other way around. Kids look at you and say you're 33 and an old man and they say, 'I'm going out and beat this old man.' And you say, 'Hey, I'm not going to let this kid beat me out.' In the long run, with everything equal, youth wins out."<ref>Al Thomy, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-atlanta-falcons/141997757/ "Hilton Can Crack Them Up,"] ''Atlanta Constitution,'' July 23, 1976, p. 4-D.</ref>

On September 7, 1976, youth won out. Hilton was waived by the Atlanta Falcons to make way for [[Jim Bailey (American football)|Jim Bailey]], a 28-year old reserve defensive lineman last with the [[Cleveland Browns]],<ref>Al Thomy, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-atlanta-falcon/141999118/ "Hilton Waived, Bailey Signed,"] ''Atlanta Constitution,'' Sept. 8, 1976, p. 1-D.</ref> and a former defensive line teammate in the early '70s on the Colts.

Roy Hilton's NFL career was at an end.

===Life after football===

After retiring from football in 1975, Hilton became a security guard for [[Johns Hopkins University]], a job he held for twenty years.<ref name=Klingaman>Mike Klingaman, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-late-colt-a-trusted-fr/141924800/ "Late Colt a Trusted Friend On and Off the Field,"] [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-roy-hilton-baltimore/141924668/ +jump], ''Baltimore Sun,'' Jan. 9, 2019, pp. D1, D3. </ref>

He was married to Marie Hilton for 53 years.<ref name=Klingaman />

He suffered several physical ailments which may have been associated with his time in football, including three surgeries for [[knee replacement]] — two on his left knee and one on his right<ref name=CatchingUp /> — as well as [[gout]], [[arthritis]], and the [[Alzheimer's disease]] and [[dementia]] that would ultimately kill him.<ref name=Klingaman />

===Death and legacy===

Hilton died in 2019 at the age of 75; he had dementia in his later years.<ref name=Klingaman />

His grandson, [[Brandon Copeland (linebacker)|Brandon Copeland]], went on to play linebacker in the NFL for five NFL teams over a 10 season career.<ref name=Klingaman />

An NFL champion in 1968 and Superbowl champion for the 1970 season, Hilton is remembered for his consistency and hard work on the field.<ref name=Klingaman /> Colts All-Pro offensive tackle [[Bob Vogel]], who frequently lined up opposite Hilton in practice, was particularly gratified for the work Hilton put in. Shortly before Hilton's death Vogel told him: "I want to thank you for playing a part in whatever success I had. As the league's smallest tackle, my technique had to be good, and I attribute that to you. You stayed out there and worked with me, and I am grateful."<ref name=Klingaman />

==References==
{{Reflist|35em}}

{{Houston Oilers 1965 draft navbox}}
{{Baltimore Colts 1965 draft navbox}}
{{1968 Baltimore Colts}}
{{Super Bowl V}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hilton, Roy}}
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Hazlehurst, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Mississippi]]
[[Category:American football defensive ends]]
[[Category:Jackson State Tigers football players]]
[[Category:Baltimore Colts players]]
[[Category:New York Giants players]]
[[Category:Atlanta Falcons players]]
[[Category:Deaths from Alzheimer's disease in Maryland]]