Russell Todd Hilger (May 9, 1962 – December 24, 2019) was an American professional

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

player who was a

quarterback The quarterback (QB) is a position in gridiron football who are members of the offensive side of the ball and mostly line up directly behind the Lineman (football), offensive line. In modern American football, the quarterback is usually consider ...

in the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...

(NFL). He played

college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...

for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and was selected in the sixth round of the

1985 NFL draft The 1985 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The NFL draft, draft was held April 30 and May 1, 1985 NFL season, 1985, at the Omni Park Central Hotel in New York City, New ...

. Hilger played for the Los Angeles Raiders,

Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. The team plays their home game ...

Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. The Colts compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. Since the 2008 India ...

, and

Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle. The Seahawks compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The club entered the NFL a ...

for eight seasons.

Oklahoma State University

Hilger played college football at

Oklahoma State University Oklahoma State University (informally Oklahoma State or OSU) is a public land-grant research university in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States. The university was established in 1890 under the legislation of the Morrill Act. Originally known ...

and is regarded as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Oklahoma State history. As a sophomore in 1981, Hilger guided the Cowboys to their first post-season bowl since 1976 against Texas A&M in the Independence Bowl. In 1982, Hilger suffered a shoulder injury before the start of the season, earning him a redshirt as the Cowboys fell to a 4–5–2 record. Returning to the starting lineup in 1983, the Cowboys finished 8–4, and Hilger was recognized as the

Most Valuable Player In team sports, a most valuable player (MVP) award is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particular competition, or ...

in the 1983

Bluebonnet Bowl The Bluebonnet Bowl was an annual college football bowl game played in Houston, Texas. A civic group was appointed by the Houston Chamber of Commerce Athletics Committee in 1959 to organize the bowl game. It was held at Rice Stadium (Rice Univ ...

. In 1984, Hilger and the OSU Cowboys would change the course of Oklahoma State football. The Cowboys opened the season with a 45–3 victory over top-ranked

Arizona State University Arizona State University (Arizona State or ASU) is a public university, public research university in Tempe, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1885 as Territorial Normal School by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, the university is o ...

, earning Hilger Big-8 "Player of the Week" honors. The Cowboys only losses came on the road against #1 ranked Nebraska and #2 ranked Oklahoma to finish with a 10–2 record, the best finish and highest ranking (#6) in school history. The Cowboy's final come-from-behind touchdown drive in the Gator Bowl against the

University of South Carolina The University of South Carolina (USC, SC, or Carolina) is a Public university, public research university in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1801 as South Carolina College, It is the flagship of the University of South Car ...

remains one of the most memorable moments in Cowboy football history.

East–West Shrine Game

Hilger was selected to play in the 60th East–West Shrine Game at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California in January 1985. Hilger and

University of Nevada, Las Vegas The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Paradise, Nevada, United States. The campus is about east of the Las Vegas Strip. It was formerly part of the ...

quarterback Randall Cunningham were teamed with (1984 National Champion) head coach LaVell Edwards of

Brigham Young University Brigham Young University (BYU) is a Private education, private research university in Provo, Utah, United States. It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is the flagship university of the Church Educational System sponsore ...

. Hilger's skills were displayed in a pro-style offense and under the watchful eyes of NFL owners, coaches, and scouts for the first time.

NFL career

With the 143rd pick of the

, Al Davis and the Los Angeles Raiders selected Rusty Hilger. At the time, Hilger was the only Raider rookie quarterback ever to enter a regular season game and throw a touchdown pass. After two seasons as a backup to Jim Plunkett and Marc Wilson, Al Davis named Hilger the starting quarterback for the 1987 season, making him the youngest quarterback in Raider franchise history. Hilger and the Raiders opened the season 2–0 before the 1987 NFL Players Association strike halted play, and replacement players took the field. The Raiders would finish the 1987 season with a 5–10 record, their worst since 1963. In 1988, Hilger underwent a knee surgery that changed the course of his career and led to his termination from the Raiders. After missing the first five games of the 1988 season, Hilger signed with the

despite failing his physical. Only six days after arriving in Detroit, Hilger was forced into action. Without a grasp of the playbook, Hilger managed to call plays, attempt a career-high 43 passes, and toss a touchdown in the 24–7 loss against the Chicago Bears. By season's end, Hilger was named the Lions Offensive MVP for the 1988 season. In 1989, the Lions released Hilger due to his bone-on-bone knee condition. In 1990, Hilger teamed with former Raiders Head Coach Tom Flores and the

. The Seahawks released Hilger prior to the season opener, and former Raiders Offensive Coordinator Larry Kennan and the

picked him up. Hilger signed with the

and spent the remainder of the season with the Colts. At season's end, Coach Larry Kennan joined former Raider Head Coach Tom Flores in Seattle. Hilger remained under contract with the Colts until released just days before the 1991 season opener. He then re-signed with the Seahawks for the 1991 and 1992 seasons. Chronic arthritis forced Hilger to retire after the 1992 season.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hilger, Rusty 1962 births 2019 deaths American football quarterbacks Detroit Lions players Indianapolis Colts players Los Angeles Raiders players Oklahoma State Cowboys football players Seattle Seahawks players Players of American football from Oklahoma City