Rusty Hilger

Rusty Hilger (pronounced "hil jer", born May 9, 1962, in Oklahoma City) is a former professional National Football League American football player. He played quarterback eight seasons for the Los Angeles Raiders (1985–1987), Detroit Lions (1988–1989), Indianapolis Colts (1990–1991) and Seattle Seahawks (1990 and 1992).

Oklahoma State University
Rusty Hilger played college football at Oklahoma State University, and is regarded as the most successful quarterback in school history. As a Senior in high school, Hilger was not highly recruited. On National Signing Day, not a single College, University, or JUCO offered Hilger an opportunity to play. At Oklahoma State University, they recruited two quarterback prospects that opted to play elsewhere, thus the Cowboys were without a freshman prospect. Over the next several weeks, Oklahoma State Quarterback Coach Bob Leahy convinced Head Coach Jimmy Johnson that Hilger was the last option. Reluctantly, Johnson allowed Bob Leahy to offer Hilger the 29th and last scholarship for 1980. In 1981, an injury to the Senior QB forced Hilger into the game. By seasons end, Hilger had led the Cowboys to its 1st post-season bowl game appearance since 1976. Although the Cowboys lost the 1981 Independence Bowl against Texas A&M, Hilger's future looked bright. In 1982, a preseason shoulder injury sidelined Hilger for the entire schedule and the Cowboys finished the 1982 season 4-5-2. In 1983, Hilger was back and he guided the OSU Cowboys to one of schools most successful seasons to date. The Cowboys finished 8-4 and Hilger was recognized as Most Valuable Player in the 1983 Bluebonnet Bowl. In 1984, Hilger and the OSU Cowboys would change the course of Oklahoma State football. The Cowboys opened the season with a 45-3 victory over top ranked Arizona State University, earning Hilger Big-8 "Player of the Week" honors. The Cowboys only losses came on the road against the #1 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers and the #2 ranked Oklahoma Sooners to finish with a 10-2 record, the best finish and highest ranking in school history (#5). The Cowboys final come-from-behind touchdown drive in the Gator Bowl against the University of South Carolina remains as one the most memorable moments in OSU history.

East-West Shrine Game
In early 1985, the Senior Quarterback was selected to play in the 60th Annual East West Shrine Game at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. Hilger and University of Nevada Las Vegas Quarterback Randall Cunningham were teamed to play for (1984 National Champion) Head Coach LaVell Edwards of Brigham Young University. For the first time, Hilger's talent would be on display in a pro-style offense under the watchful eyes of NFL owners, coaches, and scouts.

NFL career
With the 143rd pick of the 1985 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Raiders selected Rusty Hilger. After only two seasons as a Raider, Al Davis named Hilger as the starting quarterback. In 1987, Hilger became the youngest starting quarterback in Raider history. Hilger and the Raiders opened the season 2-0 before the NFL Players Union strike halted play and replacement players took the field. After the 1987 season, Hilger underwent a knee surgery that would change the course of his career. On Monday before the first game of the 1988 season, Hilger was released from the Raiders and his dream of being Raider Legend was over. After missing the first 5 games of the 1988 season, the Detroit Lions signed Hilger to backup Chuck Long, as Eric Hipple was lost for the season due to injury. In an effort to continue his playing career, Hilger kept his ailing knee problems quiet. Only 6 days after arriving in Detroit, the Lions #1 QB Chuck Long was injured in the Chicago bears game and Hilger was forced into action. With little time to learn the offense or his teammates names, Hilger entered the Chicago game down 17-0. Like playing in the school yard as a kid, Hilger drew plays in the dirt, attempted a career high 43 passes, and even tossed a touchdown in the 17-7 loss. By season end, Hilger would receive his most gratifying honor in the NFL, the Detroit Lions "Most Valuable Player" Award. Just days before the first game of the 1989 season, the Detroit Lions released Hilger. In July 1990, Hilger got the call from former Raider Head Coach Tom Flores. He had been named as the General Manager for the Seattle Seahawks. Hilger signed with the Seahawks, however, within a week from the first game of the 1990 season, Hilger was released. Hilger then got the call from former Raider Offensive Coordinator Larry Kennan, who was coaching with the Indianapolis Colts. Hilger signed with the Indianapolis Colts and spent the remainder of the season in Indy. At seasons end, former Raider and Colts Coach Larry Kennan joined former Raider Head Coach Tom Flores in Seattle. Due to contract obligations, Hilger remained with the Colts. In 1991, Hilger was released by the Colts just days season opener. Hilger then resigned with the Seattle Seahawks to finish the 1991 season with Head Coach Tom Flores and Offensive Coordinator Larry Kennan. In 1992, Hilger was released by the Seahawks prior to the season opener, and then returned to the Seahawks due to a Dave Krieg injury. By the end of 1992, Hilger's chronic arthritis was over-bearing and his NFL career was over.

Post NFL Career
Rusty Hilger quickly transitioned from NFL quarterback to entrepreneur, however, achieving success and passion in a business wasn't easy. During a radio interview on the Philadelphia based "Artie Clear Show", Hilger said, "Being exposed to financial opportunity was not the hard part- recognizing it was". Hilger added, "In 1986, I couldn't see the opportunity to invest in L.A. Gear, or in 1989 I was presented with the "Outback Steakhouse" and a sponsorship opportunity for a little-known race car driver named "Jeff Gordon". Hilger said, "In my world, I wasn't taught to recognize opportunity. I was taught to get a good education, work for a good company, and then retire with a good pension. The reality was: everyone I knew was only trading time for money, building other peoples dreams instead of building their own dreams". While Hilger has owned and operated a night club, a restaurant, a health and nutrition company, a real estate business, and others, he was missing the passion he found through the NFL experience. Although Hilger started into business with no prior experience, It took years to realize success. Hilger said, "My personal growth really began with a book called Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill". Hilger added, "For years I had been spinning my wheels, and the book got me on the right path". As the Co-Founder of Oklahoma based Club Paradise Travel, LLC., Hilger is passionate again. Hilger said, "I have always dreamed of seeing more of the world, and being in the exploding leisure travel and tourism industry allows me that freedom".  In addition to his travel business, Hilger owns ACME Roofing and Construction, as well as a oil & gas supply company that markets Silica Dust Reduction filters and specialized coatings.