Hunter Hillenmeyer may had not been a popular name in football discussions, however this newly retired NFL player was a key playmaker on one of the most unstoppable linebacking units in the NFL. This Vanderbilt alum went from not knowing whether playing in the NFL was a career option, to making millions as a starting outside linebacker for the Chicago Bears. But Hillenmeyer’s 8-year career is no “Cinderella” story; it’s a product of his “Blue Collar” work ethic and smart decisions.
Hillenmeyer recalls that he “was never the guy that knew for sure that he was going to make the football team…and was always the guy who came into training camp with [a] hunger to make sure [he] proved himself.” This linebacker was devoted to spending every spare moment in the film room, and was therefore regarded as one of the team’s smartest defensive players who possessed the ability to “sniff out” the opposing team. 
His game day intelligence didn’t just come by osmosis; this NFL’er testifies that having the opportunity to play side by side with Pro-Bowl peers Brian Urclacher and Lance Briggs, under the direction of linebacker coach Bob Babige, played a major role in shaping his “ability to make some good money and last in the league.” From these experienced men, Hillenmeyer also developed a respect for taking care of his body.
“The guys that get the most out of their potential …are the last guys to leave the building. They are taking care of their bodies and are eating right — all those kind of things add up to give [them] an edge over somebody who really loves to play football and has the natural gifts but doesn’t do what they need to do to get ready week after week,” he says.
The 5th round draft pick viewed no one as a potential threat to his starting position. In fact, Hillenmeyer embraced the incoming competition of newly drafted linebackers.
“The fact that [Chicago] did draft 10 linebackers while I was playing there [meant] that there was always a younger guy who [was being tested] to see if [he] can be the heir apparent to whomever… Having those people push you keeps you young and focused. It keeps you trying to find ways to prove yourself, which probably helps you more than anybody, in the long run”.
Playing in the NFL is just one of his many accomplishments. Hillenmeyer recently earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Yes, the 31-year-old former linebacker started his Master’s program while being active in the NFL.
As a finance major at Vanderbilt, Hillenmeyer knew that pursuing a post graduate degree in business was something he was destined to do. He explains that it was a no brainer; why not indulge in enrichment opportunities provided by the NFL? Unlike many professional athletes, who in his words “budget based on ‘I’m going to make X million dollars in 3 years from now,’ ” Hillenmeyer opted to take advantage of the NFL’s benefits and the top-notch schools in Chicago.
“[Going to grad school] was a natural process for me, just because I happened to be in a great city in Chicago with two of the top five business schools in the world!”
