Peyton Hillis Net Worth: How Rich is the former NFL Player?

Peyton Hillis is an American retired football running back. He is best known for playing as the starting fullback for the Denver Broncos. Hillis was drafted in the 2008 NFL Draft. The former running back suffered kidney and lung damage after he rescued both of his kids from drowning in Florida in January 2023. As of 2023, Peyton Hillis net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.

Who is Peyton Hillis?

Peyton Hillis is a former football running back from Arkansas. He primarily played as a fullback while attending the University of Arkansas. Peyton rose to the top of the depth chart after he played as the starting fullback for the Denver Broncos. He spent two years in Denver and was later traded to the Cleveland Browns. Peyton retired from football after suffering a Mild Traumatic Brain injury in 2015.

Hillis was born on January 21, 1986, in Conway, Arkansas. His parents are Doug and Carrie Hillis, who belong to Scottis-Irish ancestry. Peyton grew up with a brother named Kyle Hillis. He studied at the University of Arkansas and received a graduation degree with Honors in Sociology in 2008.

Amateur Career

Peyton was ranked the 119 players in the country for the 2004 recruiting class after his high school graduation. Thereafter, he continued playing football as a true freshman at the University of Arkansas. He was ranked fourth in the SEC in total touchdowns after scoring 8 touchdowns, 240 yards rushing, and 97 yards receiving as a freshman. He accounted for 947 all-purpose yards during his sophomore year.

Hillis appeared in 10 games in his junior season. He couldn’t play in many games due to a nagging injury. Later, he returned in the season and helped Arkansas to become the winner of the 2006 SEC Western Division Championship. He was a part of the team when Arkansas defeated $13 Tennessee on November 11, which was also the biggest victory of the season. In his senior season, he finished with over 800 yards. Arkansas got its first victory over a #1 team after the team defeated Texas in 1981.

Peyton Hillis Net Worth & Career

Peyton started his professional career after he was picked by the Denver Broncos in the 7th round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He was listed as the Broncos’ starting fullback at the beginning of the 2008 season. Peyton made his NFL regular season debut on September 8, 2008, against the Oakland Raiders. In the first game, he gained 14 yards on 3 rushing attempts and 4 yards on one reception. Hillis recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game against the Miami Dolphins in November 2008. He had 7 catches for 116 yards including a touchdown in a losing game against the Dolphins.

Hillis began playing as a starting running back after an injury to Broncos’ running Ryan Torain. As a running back, he made his first 100-yard rushing game against the New York Jets. Subsequently, after that, he was named the FedEx Ground Player of the Week and Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week. However, he suffered a season-ending injury over the Kansas City Chiefs after he was hit by corner Brandon Carr and free safety Jarrad Page. The double hit tore his right hamstring behind the knee. In the 2009 season, he had only 54 yards on 13 carries.

Peyton was traded to the Cleveland Browns in the 2011 Draft. He was listed down the depth chart at the beginning of the regular season. He got into the starting spot after two key players were injured in the early season. In the 2010 regular season, he helped the Browns to their first win against the Cincinnati Bengals. Peyton went more than the 1,000-yard mark on an 8-yard rush in December 2010. He was included in the Madden NFL 12 cover vote after his breakout season. However, he couldn’t continue his consistent performance in the 2011-12 season. Due to that, he was associated with Madden Curse which included him in a history of poor performance by athletes.

Hillis was allowed to leave Brown as a free agent at the end of the year. Then, he was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs on March 14, 2012. After a year, he was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in July 2013. However, he was released by the Buccaneers without appearing in a single game. In October 2013, he was signed by the New York Giants. Due to his history of concussions, he retired from football in 2015.

Peyton Hillis’ Wife, Girlfriend & Personal Life

Hillis is currently dating his girlfriend, Angela Cole. He has been in a relationship with Angela for a few years. Angele is an actress who has appeared in several productions including her notable roles in Triple Threat, Time Pirates, and Mudblood Part Three. Hillis was previously married to Amanda with whom he shares two kids, a son, Orry, and a daughter.

The retired NFL star is currently in critical condition in a Florida hospital after he saved his kids from drowning in the ocean. Peyton was airlifted by helicopter to the local medical center after he successfully dragged his kids out of the ocean at a Pensacola beach. On Thursday night, Hillis’ uncle shared an update on his condition in a Facebook post and said that he was having trouble with his lungs and kidneys. He further added that the doctors told him that he is improving.

Peyton Hillis Net Worth

Peyton Hillis has earned an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2023. He has accumulated total career earnings of $1,214,118 from his professional football career. In addition to his sports career, he has also appeared in the horror movie, The Hunting in 2021. Hillis is known to have received a whopping amount for his role in the film.