T.Y. Hilton Talks OTA’s, Andre Johnson, and Becoming a Mentor

The Indianapolis Colts began their offseason program today, and Colts.com caught-up with the team’s star young wideout T.Y. Hilton in order to discuss some of the team’s notable headlines this offseason and what it meant to him to be back.

Hilton talked about what it was like to return with his teammates, to get to now play alongside a veteran great in Andre Johnson, and what it means to him to become a veteran leader of the team’s receiving corps in the absence of Reggie Wayne.

Please see below for the full interview transcript:

Colts Reporter: Is it good to be back? Feel like the 1st Day of School? Seen some new faces, some old faces?

T.Y. Hilton: Yeah, yeah…it’s always good to see some new faces. They added some pieces. Yet seeing some of the old faces, it means a lot. For us, we know Day 1 is critical, you know. Just getting back, getting back to the fundamentals of the game.

May 22, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) talks to wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) during organized team activities at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Colts Reporter: I know you’re not a big goal guy, but any specific things you want to work on early on in OTA’s?

T.Y. Hilton: Um..nah, just trying to come here and trying to get better. You know, we’ll look at some of the film and critique myself on what I need to get better at and just come in with that.

Colts Reporter: When you heard the Andre Johnson news, kind of what was your first impression on that? How eager are you to work with him?

T.Y. Hilton: Oh, very eager, you know tired of seeing him play against the Texans. Every time he’d make a play, I’d make sure I’d come back and answer. So right now, we are on the same team and hopefully, we can make plays together.

Colts Reporter: What’s it like coming in here and not seeing #87 (Reggie Wayne) out there? I know, you of all people, that it had to hit you?

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T.Y. Hilton:

It’s very different, it still hurts me right now. I was still waiting for him to just walk in the media room, but you know it’s different. It’s going to take me some time to get used to it, but I think I will. So for me, I keep in contact with him. We still talk, we talked yesterday, so for me, it’s just about keeping that relationship going and just continue to dominate on the field.

Colts Reporter: I know you’re only a few years in, but how much has he taught you about being a mentor? Do you kind of take on that role now? Do you kind of graduate to the mentor role?

T.Y. Hilton: Oh absolutely, you know I don’t really have a choice. I’m the captain of the room, so I gotta make sure right now everyone’s on point. Make sure we’re on point with Andrew [Luck]. For me, whatever he taught me, make sure I’m teaching to everybody else because it’s only right. Marvin [Harrison] did it with him, and now he’s done it for me so I gotta pass on the torch.

Oct 9, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts receivers Reggie Wayne (87) and T.Y. Hilton (13) celebrate after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Colts defeated the Texans 33-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports