Hilton named AFC Defensive Player of the Week
Though he is only 5-feet-9 inches, former Ole Miss player and current Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton is known as ‘Big Mike’–and with good reason. He plays far larger than his stature might indicate.
Hilton was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week this week after his performance against Houston on Christmas Day. In the Steelers’ 34-6 win over the Texans, Hilton tallied three sacks and forced a fumble.
While at Ole Miss, Hilton wore No. 38 as the recipient of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award and started at every position in the defensive backfield during his career with the Rebels.
Congratulations to @MikeHilton_31 for being named AFC Defensive Player of the Week following his three-sack performance against the Texans! (Here’s how we remember Mike.) #HottyToddy #NeverQuit pic.twitter.com/7Uk5tGVZJ4
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) December 27, 2017
Following his career with Ole Miss, Hilton signed with Jacksonville in 2016 as an undrafted free agent. He later signed with Pittsburgh’s practice squad last December, but has now become a critical player for the Steelers, playing an intricate role in the team’s defense.
It was only a matter of time before @MikeHilton_38 would get his 1st career sack and INT, but in the same game?! First of many#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/jW5ujTV3yM
— Dorkewicz (12-5) (@Dorkewicz) October 2, 2017
Thus far this season for the Steelers, Hilton has notched 50 tackles, four sacks, two INTs, a forced fumble, and five pass break-ups. He became the first Steelers’ defensive back since Troy Polamalu to record three sacks in a game.
This is Hilton’s first Player of the Week award, and the eighth time a Steelers player has won a Player of the Week award this season. Hilton is the first Pittsburgh defensive back to be named Defensive Player of the Week since Polamalu in 2013.
“It feels good to be out there and just make plays and help the team win,” Hilton told Steelers.com after the win over Houston. “I had a big day and hopefully it can carry on.”
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
