The newest addition to my game-used jersey collection is this 2021 Cleveland Browns jersey worn by defensive back Troy Hill.
This jersey is a rarity. Hill suffered a neck sprain while making a hit on a Patriots receiver in the fourth quarter of their showdown on 11/14/21. Out of an abundance of caution, he was placed onto the spineboard and the team followed neck injury protocol, which includes making a T-cut through the jersey so it can be removed from the player during testing without disturbing their head. Fortunately for Hill, it was a scare rather than a devastating injury, and he was back on the field a couple weeks later.
Before Fanatics sold this jersey through their site, either someone from Fanatics or the Browns sewed the jersey back together. I spent two hours meticulously removing that stitching because the story of that game—and the toughness of Troy Hill—can only be told through the jersey’s final form.
Hill had a productive 10-year career across several teams, consistently serving as an effective run stopper from the corner position. He now serves as the head football coach of his former high school in southern California.
