For five hours KD Hill sat trapped in a truck after crashing into a tree earlier this summer. Throughout all that time he never shed a tear nor did he cry as emergency medical services worked to remove him from the cab of the truck. The rescue process included the need to amputate Hill’s leg at the scene of crash.
That afternoon on July 21 altered Hill’s life forever yet the weight of everything and the emotions never overcame him.
Why was that? Hill’s faith never wavered and he knew as the minutes and hours continued to pass he was going to be okay. That is just the type of man Hill is.
“I just knew God was going to make a way for me if I made it through three hours,” Hill said when speaking with The Ole Miss Spirit. “When they called my mom and said, ‘Your son has been in a truck for over three hours,’ I knew I was going to make it even more.”
Hill’s conviction that he was going to get out of the truck alive was strengthened even further when an Alabama state trooper arrived at the scene. The former Ole Miss defensive lineman asked to hold the trooper’s hand and pray together.
The deep faith Hill has is what has gotten him through the last seven weeks that saw his dreams of reaching the NFL completely vanish and a brand new life await him on the other side.
“God heard my prayer,” Hill said. “He sent his angels and they protected me and my little brother and the medical people in the field. …He already knew what was going to happen. This is my story and he knew that I could handle it.”
Hill is now on his road to recovery that included multiple surgeries days and weeks after the accident.
He is now working towards getting a prosthetic leg, but Hill is firm when telling people the rest of him is still him.
“I wish you could be here to see me, but you wouldn’t even know I have one leg unless you look down,” Hill said.
Just this week Hill carried a 50-pound bag of dog food. Not much is going to deter Hill from getting back to where he wants go, especially not dog food.
Throughout this road of recovery Hill has lived by the scripture of Isaiah 43:2 and the verse’s meaning. When talking about the accident Hill always draws back to his belief and faith that has allowed him to still be here.
The ability of having a “second chance” at life is not lost on Hill nor does he view it in a cliché manner in the slightest. He is fully aware and present in the magnitude of the moment.
“So, I’m just thankful. Why not give it my all?” Hill said. “Not too many could say they got a second chance. So, I’m just grateful to get that second chance. I’m going to make sure I glorify God and tell the world about the goodness of God.”
Not only is Hill continuing to stay positive through his faith but through the overwhelming support he has received from Ole Miss fans and the Oxford community.
Hill has a poster hanging on his wall that was made by the kids from the Oxford Housing Authority covered with pictures of Hill spending time with them.
The time Hill gave to spend within the Oxford community and other charitable acts during his Ole Miss career helped lead him to earning the Chucky Mullins Courage Award for the 2022 season.
“It means the world to me,” Hill said of the support he has received from Oxford and others. “It just shows how many lives I impacted throughout my life. I’m just grateful that I was able to impact that many lives. …Now because of my situation I’m able to touch more lives because with football, God put me on a platform (but) He does have something bigger for me.”
Plans and goals for the future are already in motion, mapping out how he wants to serve the rest of his life.
Motivational speaking is top on Hill’s list as he wants to be able to use his platform to share his experiences and faith with others.
Another item on Hill’s list, and one that is already underway, is he is training towards competing in the Paralympics when it becomes possible. There are multiple events Hill can choose to participate in but has not singled any out, yet.
One major reason for all of this is Hill wants to continue to be that role model for his seven month-old son and show obstacles can be overcome.
“I will be training for the Paralympic Games and just continue to show my son that, ‘Your father is a warrior and has the heart of a lion.’ He’s going to be walking and talking soon and he said ‘Da-da’ for the first time about a month ago and that melted my heart. Just watching him grow up and being in his life and being an amazing example to him. He’s going to grow up seeing my Ole Miss jerseys and seeing things I’ve accomplished in life.”
The road to recovery for Hill is set out but it is not one without challenges. Hill and his mother are having to move closer to the UAB Hospital and both are currently without any employment or steady income.
Hill said they just recently got some furniture for their new place but he and his family are still in need of support beyond those needs. For anyone who is still inclined to offer that support, Hill said people can still donate to a couple GoFundMe accounts that have been set up, including one that is a housing fund for Hill and his family.
