| Jerry Hillebrand | |
| Number: | 87, 69 |
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Birth Date: | March 28, 1940 |
| Birth Place: | Davenport, Iowa, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 3 |
| Weight Lb: | 240 |
| High School: | Central (Davenport) |
| College: | Colorado |
| Draftyear: | 1962 |
| Draftround: | 1 |
| Draftpick: | 13 (New York Giants) |
| Afldraftyear: | 1962 |
| Afldraftround: | 2 |
| Afldraftpick: | 10 (Denver Broncos) |
| Pastteams: | |
| Highlights: |
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| Pfr: | HillJe21 |
Gerald John Hillebrand (born March 28, 1940) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL).
Born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, Hillebrand played scholastically at Central High School.[1] He played collegiately for the Colorado Buffaloes,[2] where, as a senior, he was honored as a first-team All-American by both the Associated Press (AP) and the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).[3] [4]
Hillebrand was selected by the New York Giants in the first round (13th overall) of the 1962 NFL draft.[5] He was also selected in the second round (10th overall) of the 1962 AFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.[6]
He chose to sign with the Giants, but his rookie training camp was interrupted by a six month hitch in the Marine Corp, from February to August. As a result, he saw no playing time in 1962.[7] He spent the 1963 through 1966 seasons with the Giants, starting 32 of the 49 games in which he appeared. He intercepted nine passes, returning three for touchdowns.[8]
Hillebrand was with the St. Louis Cardinals for one uneventful year in 1967. He finished his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1968 - 1970). Overall he logged 14 career interceptions and 5 fumble recoveries.[8]
Hillebrand is no relation to the Giants' 1944 first-round draft pick, Billy Hillenbrand.