Tony Hill

Early life and college career

Tony Hill was born on June 23, 1956, and attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School in California. He excelled as a high school quarterback, breaking the passing records previously set by Gene Washington, another future Stanford athlete. Following Washington's path, Hill enrolled at Stanford University where he was converted from quarterback to wide receiver. He again succeeded in breaking many of Washington's Stanford receiving records, establishing himself as a formidable offensive talent. Hill's senior season was hampered by an ankle injury suffered against Penn State, which caused him to miss the game against the University of Michigan and limited his effectiveness in subsequent contests.

Despite the injury, Hill left a significant mark on the Stanford football program. He graduated at the age of 20 with a 3.3 grade point average in Political Science. On the field, he finished his collegiate career with 140 receptions for 2,225 yards and 18 touchdowns. These totals place him eleventh on Stanford's all time list for career receiving yards. In recognition of his athletic achievements, Hill was later inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the university's standout players.

Professional career with the Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys selected Tony Hill in the third round, 62nd overall, of the 1977 NFL Draft. He began his professional career primarily as a punt returner and backup wide receiver. In his rookie season, Hill earned a championship ring as the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27-10 in Super Bowl XII. By the following 1978 season, he had earned a starting receiver position over more experienced players like Golden Richards and Butch Johnson. That year, he recorded 46 receptions for 823 yards and six touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and helping Dallas return to the Super Bowl.

In Super Bowl XIII, a 35-31 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hill caught two passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. His explosive playing style earned him the nickname "The Thrill" and "Dial 80" from teammates and fans. Head coach Tom Landry famously referred to Hill as "Our Home Run Hitter," praising his ability to adjust to passes and turn short plays into significant gains. Hill's peak statistical season came in 1985 when he caught 74 passes for 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns, earning his third and final Pro Bowl nod.

Hill's tenure with the Cowboys was marked by several notable team and personal achievements. In 1979, he and fellow receiver Drew Pearson, along with running back Tony Dorsett, helped Dallas become the first NFL team to have two 1,000 yard receivers and a 1,000 yard rusher in the same season. Hill recorded 60 receptions for 1,062 yards and 10 touchdowns that year. He and Pearson also became the first wide receiver tandem in franchise history to each surpass 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.

• 1977: Drafted by Dallas, wins Super Bowl XII as a rookie.
• 1978: Becomes starter, makes first Pro Bowl, plays in Super Bowl XIII.
• 1979: Records first 1,000 yard season (1,062 yards), part of historic offensive trio.
• 1985: Career best season (74 rec, 1,100 yds), third Pro Bowl selection.

He played in 10 postseason games after his rookie Super Bowl win, with a standout performance coming in a 1982 divisional playoff game. In a 38-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hill caught seven passes for 142 yards. The Cowboys waived Hill at the start of training camp in 1987. At the time of his release, he ranked first in receiving yards, second in receiving touchdowns, and second in receptions in Cowboys franchise history. His 8,072 total yards from scrimmage still ranks fifth on the team's all time list.

Final NFL season and career statistics

After his release from Dallas, Tony Hill signed with the San Francisco 49ers on July 24, 1987, who outbid the Los Angeles Rams for his services. His time with the 49ers was brief, as he was released on September 7, 1987, before the regular season began. This move effectively ended his playing career in the NFL. Hill never appeared in a regular season game for San Francisco, concluding his professional football journey after a decade.

Over his 10 NFL seasons, all but the final offseason stint spent with the Cowboys, Hill compiled impressive career totals. He played in 142 games, catching 479 passes for 7,988 yards and 51 touchdowns. He also recorded 26 games with over 100 receiving yards. Beyond receiving, he contributed as a returner and occasional rusher, gaining 268 yards on 27 punt returns, 96 yards on four kickoff returns, and 84 rushing yards. His career averages highlight his big play capability, with an average of 16.7 yards per reception and 16.1 yards per touch.

Broadcasting and media work

Following his retirement from playing, Tony Hill transitioned into sports broadcasting. He served as a colour commentator for ArenaBowl V on the Prime Network. During a strike by the Canadian Media Guild, Hill provided colour commentary for America One's broadcasts of Canadian Football League games. He has also worked as a colour commentator for NFL and college football games on the Compass Media Networks, lending his expertise and analysis to radio audiences. Hill has made several appearances on television game shows and morning programs, including a 2000 stint on Greed and a 2011 birthday appearance on Good Morning Texas.

In 2000, he was a contestant on the game show Greed, where he served as a team captain. His run ended on a $500,000 question about the four automotive companies with the highest global market share, where he incorrectly selected Honda, BMW, and Hyundai from a list of seven choices. On his birthday in 2011, Hill appeared on Good Morning Texas to promote the Market Street Allen USA Celebration, a Fourth of July event in his hometown. During the segment, he sang a portion of Foreigner's "Hot Blooded" in honour of headline entertainer Lou Gramm.

Post football career and personal life

Tony Hill has maintained an active role in his community and in sports promotion since the end of his playing days. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Legends Sports Promotions, Inc., a company that organizes fundraising events for charitable organizations. The company coordinates celebrity basketball, softball, and football games as well as golf tournaments. It also manages athletes for motivational speaking engagements and promotional appearances. In his professional life, Hill is employed by the City of Allen Parks and Recreation Department in Texas, where he works as a Resource Development Manager.

Hill is married to his wife Millie, and the couple have four children together. He has publicly credited his aunt Bobbie for helping him toward a better path and going out for sports when he was younger. He is the CEO of Legends Sports Promotions, Inc., a company that raises funds for charitable organizations through celebrity basketball, softball, and football games as well as golf tournaments. It also manages athletes for motivational and promotional events. He is currently employed by the City of Allen Parks and Recreation Department as a Resource Development Manager.

Questions about Tony Hill

How many Pro Bowls did Tony Hill make?

Tony Hill was a three time Pro Bowl selection. He first made the Pro Bowl at the end of the 1978 season after catching 46 passes for 823 yards and six touchdowns. He earned Pro Bowl honours again following the 1979 season, when he recorded 60 receptions for 1,062 yards and 10 touchdowns. His third and final Pro Bowl selection came in 1985, which was his best statistical season with 74 catches for 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns. These selections recognised his status as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL from 1978 to 1985.

What are Tony Hill's career statistics with the Cowboys?

Tony Hill finished his ten year career with the Dallas Cowboys with 479 receptions for 7,988 yards and 51 touchdowns in 142 regular season games. He also had 26 100 yard receiving games and his 8,072 total yards from scrimmage ranks fifth in Cowboys history. Hill led the team in both receptions and receiving yardage for nine consecutive years. At the time of his departure, he ranked first in franchise history for receiving yards, second in receiving touchdowns, and second in receptions, showing his consistent production as a primary target.

Did Tony Hill win a Super Bowl?

Yes, Tony Hill won a Super Bowl championship with the Dallas Cowboys. He earned a championship ring when the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27 to 10 in Super Bowl XII during his rookie season in 1977. The following year, he helped the team return to Super Bowl XIII, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 35 to 31. In that game, Hill caught two passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. Although he played in ten more postseason games after that, he never appeared in another Super Bowl during his career.

What college did Tony Hill attend?

Tony Hill played college football at Stanford University. He followed his high school predecessor Gene Washington to Stanford, where he was converted from quarterback to wide receiver and proceeded to break most of Washington's receiving records. As a senior, he suffered an ankle injury against Penn State that limited his play. Hill graduated at age 20 with a 3.3 GPA in Political Science and ranks eleventh on Stanford's career receiving list with 2,225 yards on 140 receptions and 18 touchdowns, leading to his induction into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame.

What was Tony Hill's nickname and why?

Tony Hill was nicknamed the "Thrill" and "Dial 80" because of his explosiveness and renowned ability to make big plays. His coach, Tom Landry, called him "Our Home Run Hitter" and praised his quick speed and unique skill at adjusting to the ball in mid air. Landry noted that Hill's excellent running ability and speed allowed him to turn short plays into big gains in a hurry. These attributes made him a key offensive weapon for the Cowboys, especially evident in 1979 when he and Drew Pearson became the first Cowboys wide receiver tandem to each record 1,000 yard seasons.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-05.