Ole Miss Football Wishes Former Rebel DB Mike Hilton Good Luck in Bengals’ Upcoming Super Bowl
OXFORD, Miss. — Former Ole Miss star Mike Hilton will be playing in the upcoming Super Bowl, and on Friday he received a video with messages of support from former Rebel teammates, players, and staff as well as from head coach Lane Kiffin and athletics director Keith Carter.
Ole Miss football released the video on social media, congratulating the Bengals’ cornerback and wishing him well against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday.
In addition to Kiffin and Carter, assistant head coach Derek Nix and associate AD of player development Tom Luke voiced their love and support for Hilton.
Former players on the video include offensive lineman Javon Patterson, wide receivers Cody Core and Quincy Adeboyejo, tight end Dawson Knox, defensive back Trae Elston and defensive lineman Jerrell Powe.
A message from the Ole Miss Family to @MikeHilton_28! Go get that ring! #HottyToddy | #SuperBowlLVI pic.twitter.com/gP6zoE3HtN
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) February 11, 2022
Hilton replied with the following tweet:
Ole Miss Family ❤️🙏🏾 https://t.co/rZk1J4OWMB
— Mike Hilton (@MikeHilton_28) February 11, 2022
At Ole Miss
Hilton played football for the Rebels from 2012 through 2015, earning the Chucky Mullins Courage Award in 2015. Throughout his career at Ole Miss, Hilton played at every single position in the defensive backfield.
Following his senior season, Hilton was named All-SEC second team (Coaches, AP, Phil Steele), Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, and Ole Miss Most Valuable Senior by the Jackson Touchdown Club.
Harris intercepted. Ole Miss DB Mike Hilton read it the whole way. pic.twitter.com/5YkpU7gpqD
— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) November 21, 2015
NFL Career
The Georgia native signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2016. After being released by the Jaguars as part of their final roster cuts in August, 2016, Hilton was signed to the New England Patriots’ practice squad but was released a week later.
Then, three months later in December, 2016, Hilton was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad. He spent the rest of his rookie season on the practice squad but did not appear in any games.
Following training camp in 2017 with the Steelers, Hilton was named the starting nickelback to begin the season. He played for Pittsburgh until 2021 when he signed with the Bengals during 2021 free agency.
In this, the first year of his four-year, $24 million deal, Hilton tallied 66 tackles, two interceptions, forced one fumble and notched one pick-six. This is the first Super Bowl appearance for the Bengals since 1988.
Just look at the amount of ground Mike Hilton covers on his interception.
Starts at the 35-yard line, drops as deep as the 5-yard line and then intercepts the football around the 12-yard line.
Hilton's been all over the field for the Steelers. pic.twitter.com/0SKh7yfeyk
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) September 30, 2020
Game Info:
Cincinnati and Los Angeles will kick off at 5:30 p.m. (CT) on NBC Sunday.
(Feature image credit of Mike Hilton at SEC Media Days: Bentley Breland, Rebel Walk)
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.
