Harlon Junius Hill was a standout player at Lauderdale County High School and later as an offensive

Offense (sports)

In sports, offense or offence , also known as attack, is the action of attacking or engaging an opposing team with the objective of scoring points or goals...

 end

Wide receiver

A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...

 at Florence State Teachers College, now known as the University of North Alabama

University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is a coeducational university located in Florence, Alabama, and the state's oldest four-year public university....

, being named an NAIA

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...

 All-American in his senior year (1953). He later had a successful career in the NFL

National Football League

The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...

, playing for the Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

 (1954–1961), the Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...

 (1962), and the Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...

 (1962). Hill was the NFL’s rookie of the year in 1954, its most valuable player in 1955, and a three-time All-Pro selection (1954–1956). He is the namesake of the Harlon Hill Trophy

Harlon Hill Trophy

The Harlon Hill Trophy is an award in American college football given to the individual selected as the most valuable player in NCAA Division II. The award is named for former University of North Alabama and National Football League player Harlon Hill...

.

After his NFL career was cut short by injury, Hill returned to Alabama and became a public school teacher and coach

Coach (sport)

In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...

 at Brooks High School

Brooks High School (Killen, Alabama)

Brooks High School is a public high school located in Killen, Alabama. It is one of eleven public schools in the Lauderdale County, AL School District...

, eventually becoming the principal. He is retired from the Lauderdale County, Alabama

Lauderdale County, Alabama

-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*86.4% White*10.0% Black*0.4% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.4% Two or more races*2.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...

school system and still resides in Alabama.