[2] The Harlon Hill Trophy, named in his honor, is awarded annually to the nation's best NCAA Division II football player.

Following graduation from Lauderdale County High School in nearby Rogersville in 1949,[4] he attended Florence State Teachers College, now known as the University of North Alabama.

[5] In his 1977 biography Victory after the Game, Hill related his surprise at being selected in the 15th round of the 1954 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, remaining unaware of it until approached with the news by a Florence State professor on campus: '"I had no idea I had been `discovered.'

[4] The twelve touchdowns led all NFL receivers that season as he averaged 25 yards per catch on 45 total receptions,[3] the latter of which was a Bears record for a rookie until it was broken by Darnell Mooney in 2020.

Hill was a Halloween nightmare for the 49ers defense, racking up 214 receiving yards and four touchdowns,[4] the final one coming with thirty seconds left in the game to give the Bears a four-point victory.

[5] Numerous accolades came Hill's way following that season, among them being named 1954 NFL Rookie of the Year, being an All-Pro selection, and participating in the 1954 Pro Bowl.

1956 would prove to be Hill's career best statistically with 47 catches, 1,128 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns as the Bears advanced to the NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants.

He fought a successful battle against alcoholism[5] and returned to his alma mater (then known as Florence State Teachers College), serving as an assistant football coach for the University of North Alabama in the late 1960s while also working toward a Master's degree in Education.

In 1986 a new award was created to highlight America's best NCAA Division II players, named the Harlon Hill Trophy in honor of his playing career.