‘The Heart of a Lion:’ Former Ole Miss DL KD Hill recovering from car accident with his typical strength and strong faith
Last Friday, former Ole Miss defensive lineman KD Hill was in a car wreck in Alabama along with his brother. While there were thankfully no fatalities, KD had to have his leg amputated at the scene.
If you thought that would slow down or dampen the spirits of the 2022 Chucky Mullins Courage Award winner, you’d be wrong.
On Wednesday evening, the Eufaula (Alabama) Football twitter account posted a video of KD walking down the hallway of his hospital. Yes, walking.
It’s a little blurry, but look at this WALKING miracle named Ka’Darian Hill! His faith has not wavered through any of this. God certainly has a plan for KD! @Grindkd_55 #OneTeamOneTownOneTradition#TigerNation pic.twitter.com/xQ7Hlnnufm
— Eufaula Football (@EufaulaFootball) July 26, 2023
“It’s a little blurry, but look at this WALKING miracle named Ka’Darian Hill! His faith has not wavered through any of this. God certainly has a plan for KD!”
Eufaula Football Twitter
KD, using a walker and moving right along down the hall, expresses what he is known for to so many of us who have watched him over the years — his never-quit mentality.
“This is what you do when you have the heart of a lion — you don’t stop. Because it’s bigger than you.”
KD Hill
Hill wore the accompanying No. 38 last season signifying his recognition as the Chucky Mullins winner for the Rebels. He had been invited to training camp with the New York Jets and had recently signed with the Orlando Guardians of the XFL.
KD Hill – our newest addition to the trenches 😤@Grindkd_55 | #XFLRookie
(📸: @OleMissFB ) pic.twitter.com/vQiLygNeRj
— Orlando Guardians (@XFLGuardians) July 8, 2023
Hill redshirted his freshman year with the Rebels and then went on to play in 45 games, tallying 56 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack.
In 2022, when Hill was honored with the Chucky Mullins Award, he made his mark on Rebel fans everywhere with the phone call to his mother letting her know he had won the award given annually to an upperclassman defensive player who embodies the spirit and courage of the late Mullins.
This is what 3⃣8⃣ is all about.@Grindkd_55 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/8zyCdgZG1c
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 31, 2022
His faith is evident in everything KD does and says. He and his family are grateful he is alive and believe, as his mother texted The Rebel Walk this evening, “God is AWESOME!”
“I’ll be walking myself to the car tomorrow,” KD says in the video. And who would bet against him?
UPDATE: HOW TO HELP KD HILL
The Rebel Walk has been asked by so many wonderful Ole Miss fans how they can help KD as he recovers. We have been in contact with KD’s mom, Arneta Williams, and asked her the best way for Rebels to make donations if they would like to do so.
- Donations may be made via Zelle. The e-mail address to use for KD in Zelle is: hillkadarian@gmail.com OR
- CashApp: KD Hill’s Cash App is $KDHill5
We will keep you updated on KD’s recovery as more information becomes available. In the meantime, please keep him, his young son, and his family in your prayers.
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.
