COMMENT: Joe Hills receives contract with Titans

Nearly five years ago, I walked onto the sidelines at Palmetto High School to cover my first high school football game for the North Manatee Observer.

At the time, I hadn’t even spoken to the coach — let alone had a chance to decipher the roster.

But it didn’t take long for me to realize there was one player on the field who had tremendous potential — and he wasn’t afraid to let me know it, either.

During that season, junior Joe Hills garnered more ink from me than any other athlete on the field — and with good reason.

The Tigers’ 6-foot-4 defensive-back-turned-wide-receiver not only possessed impressive size and speed but also was capable of making big plays down the sideline and over the middle.

I only had the opportunity to cover Hills for one season before moving to the East County Observer, but at the time, I remember thinking how it wouldn’t be long before I heard his name again.

Sure enough I was right. After spending a year at the University of South Carolina, Hills transferred to Tennessee State University, where he played the remainder of his collegiate career.

In December, Hills returned to the East County and once again began training at Athletic Edge in Lakewood Ranch with hopes of fulfilling his lifelong dream — playing in the NFL.

Hills’ name wasn’t called on draft day, but in the weeks that followed, he was invited to workout for the Tennessee Titans.

And after more than four months of waiting, Hills received the phone call he had been waiting for since he first walked onto the field at Palmetto. Shortly after the NFL lockout had been lifted, the Titans called and offered Hills a free-agent contract.

During my first season on the sidelines, Hills, with his trademark grin, told me he was going to play in the NFL one day. Now, five years later, he’s in Nashville trying to make good on his promise.

The Titans open preseason Aug. 13, and with Randy Moss announcing his retirement earlier this week, and there’s a good chance Hills could land on the Titans 60-man roster by the time the season opens Sept. 11.

And I’ll be able to say: “I knew him when … ”