Former Eufaula and Ole Miss standout KD Hill gives back to community with KD's Fun Day (2024)

JON JOHNSON

EUFAULA – KD Hill stood on the football field where he once played as a youth and watched children scamper around during KD’s Play Day this past Saturday afternoon.

Despite the scorching heat, there were plenty of smiles as the kids played on inflatables before taking breaks to eat hamburgers and hot dogs. They also cooled off a bit with snow cones being served from a food truck stationed at Bill Buchanan Stadium, which sits behind the old Eufaula High School and now serves as a youth football field.

For Hill, a former Eufaula and Ole Miss football defensive lineman, it was all about giving back to the community he grew up in, much in the same way he has done in Oxford, Mississippi.

“This is my stomping grounds,” Hill said. “This exact pee wee football field is where I put blood, sweat and tears at running gassers right here. Literally, I remember like it was yesterday.

“This just means so much to me because I left a footprint here and I’m leaving a legacy and letting them know, ‘Hey, I’ve gone through adversity. I’ve done the things they want to do and I’ve gotten through it and they can do it as well.’”

That’s certainly been demonstrated since Hill was involved in a horrific car accident a year ago this July, which resulted in amputation of his right leg. Before that, Hill had graduated from the University of Mississippi with aspirations of playing professional football.

Instead of sulking following the accident, he embarked on a career of motivational speaking along with helping others however he can through The KD Hill Foundation, which is described as a dedicated team of individuals committed to making a positive impact in the community.

As a young boy ran by him on the field Saturday, Hill could see himself in the youngster.

“That age right there I had big dreams of what I’m doing today,” Hill said. “I didn’t know my accident was going to happen, but God did, and he molded and prepared me for everything that lies ahead and has gotten me to where I am today.”

Hill began helping children during his time at Ole Miss.

“My townhouse that I lived in, I had to pass the Oxford Housing Authority every day,” Hill said. “Something in me was like, ‘Hey, it’s time to go make an impact – leave a legacy something far greater than football.’ Because I am more than a football player.”

Hill began visiting the children there on a weekly basis.

“Once a week I started going there and feed them Little Caesars (pizza) and also I would write speeches tailored just for them … 10-minute speeches every week,” Hill said. “That’s kind of God showing me, ‘I’m molding and preparing you for motivational speaking and ministry on down the road.’

“After I started doing that, I decided I wanted to do something for the kids in the summer. I did my first KD’s Fun Day in Oxford and it was a big turnout and this year I’m going to do my second one (in Oxford). I wasn’t able to do my second one last year due to my accident, so I’m coming back to Oxford July 13 with my second.

“This is my first one and won’t be my last one in Eufaula. The second one will be here in Eufaula next year. My goal is to let those kids know to not be a product of their environment … be the solution to your environment.”

Lifelong friend Dre Allen of Eufaula helped Hill organize the Fun Day in Eufaula. He’s not surprised at the generosity of Hill.

“I remember being maybe 11 years old and he always said he was going to grow up and do big things and help out his community,” Allen said. “Really just proud, is the most honest words I can say. Nothing keeps him down and he always wants to help others.”

Jonathan Hawkins, recently hired as the new head boys basketball coach and assistant football coach at Geneva County High School, was the defensive line coach of Hill at Eufaula.

“I saw him just a few days after the accident in the hospital and he will always tell you the whole time he never cried,” Hawkins said. “That’s been indicative of how he’s been ever since I’ve talked to him since then.

“He found peace with it very early and got on this new path, and just like he does anything, he’s hit it wide open. That’s the type person he’s been since probably around his 11th grade year.”

Hawkins is impressed with how Hill now regularly speaks to audiences about his journey.

“That’s one of those things that God has really blessed him with, because he wasn’t like that,” Hawkins said. “I’ve had a chance to see him speak in his new role and if you remember that goofy 15-year-old kid that I first met when I came to Eufaula who really never said anything … as far as speaking out in public that was not natural for him. But he’s worked on it and it’s been really good.”

Hill credits God for leading him on a daily basis.

“Who am I without God?” Hill said. “I’m not KD Hill. I would not even know who I am. But the reason I know who I am is because I view myself the way God says I am. That’s why I know the power that He holds.”

A teenager from the Birmingham area, where Hill now lives, is currently recovering from a shark attack which occurred in Walton County, Fla. The injuries resulted in the amputation of the right leg of Lulu Gribbin of Homewood.

Hill says he would like to make contact with her in the future to offer advice and encouragement.

“I’m just letting her recover right now and I will reach out to her,” Hill said. “Anybody that reads this that knows her, let her know that KD Hill is looking for her and would love to talk to her.”