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Mike Hinton Interview

Written by Wade Peery

Tuesday, 29 April 2008

The 2008 NFL draft is upon us people! So following up with some more coverage I recently decided to do a question and answer session by e-mail with free safety Mike Hinton. Mike is one of my favorite sleepers in the 2008 NFL Draft and could make some serious noise on an NFL roster. He is oozing with athleticism and has excellent football instincts. Below is the interview:

Q: Who has been the most influential person in your football career?

A: My high school defensive back coach Eddie Foust. He was the first person to teach me to back pedal and turn my hips. He taught me most of the techniques I have been polishing throughout my college career. What he taught me helped me earn my way through school.

Q: What are your favorite hobbies outside of football?

A: When I am not playing football you can usually find me traveling or at home sleep. I workout in the morning so when I get home I try to catch up on sleep, before getting on the phone.

Q: Who is your favorite football player of all-time and why?

A: Deion Sanders. "Primetime" was always the best athlete on the field, and at anytime you knew if he gets the ball in his hands, something exciting was going to happen.

Q: You recently played in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game, what was your favorite part of that experience?

A: Getting back on the field, and competing was the most enjoyable part of the week. Having the chance to play for coach Buddy Ryan was the best part of the experience. It was an honor, because he loves defense and smash-mouth football.

Q: You played at Hargrave with Ahmad Brooks of the Cincinnati Bengals. Why don't you talk about him for a little bit?

A: Back in 2002 I played at Hargrave Military Academy with Brooks, He was a huge part of us being the Number #1 Prep school in America that year. He was the biggest athletic guy I ever played with. At 6 '4', 260 he played running back for us a little and returned some kicks. He was fast. 4.4 in the forty. Robert Prunty was our head coach. He did a great job of letting guys do what they do best to make plays. Those are the best kind of coaches. Brooks was a leader, and we had guys all-around that were playmakers. He signed with UVA and I signed with Va Tech so we were rivals. He is with the Bengals now.

Q: You reeled in a TON of accolades in high school. Of all your athletic achievements, which one is your favorite and why?

A: Playing in the Texas vs. The Nation game is my favorite accolade because it recognized that people appreciated what I did in college as an athlete.

Q: Who is your favorite sleeper prospect for the 2008 NFL Draft?

A: I would say myself, but if I have to pick someone other than me, Durell Mapp, a outside linebacker from the University of North Carolina. He is a tackling machine and he has a great football motor. He will be a solid pick up.

Q: How big of an adjustment was you going from Division 1 programs such as Virginia Tech and Ohio University to Mankato State?

A: Well, when you go down a level you have to bring the guys at that level up to your level. I had to stay humble and continue to work hard. That helped my teammates match my work ethic and want to get better everyday. Guys had some of there best seasons, and played with a lot of intensity.

Q: Fast forward to a few years down the road. After football is all over for you, what do you see yourself doing for a career?

A: I know when I am done with the game of football I will be training athletes. I plan on working with the youth on the basics of staying healthy as young athletes. I am sure I will be active for a long time so we will have to check back later to know for sure.

Q: Do you want to make a statement regarding your mistakes in the past and how you have learned from them?

A: To be honest, I look at the past all as a part of the progression of life. As a kid you make mistakes that you learn from, and it helps you deal with your teenage years, as a teenager you make mistakes that you learn from, and it helps you become a better adult. The only trouble that I really got into was my freshmen year of college. After that I learned how to deal with adversity, and ever since I have been on a mission to over come the past, and be a successful adult. MY life is going great right now and I plan on it staying that way throughout my pro career. I will have a lot of success in the future, because my life is more stable.

Mike Hinton is a man who has made his fair share of mistakes, but we all have. We all wish him the best of luck in the 2008 NFL Draft!

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