Mecole Hardman Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week
Hardman returned a kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown in Sunday's victory over Los Angeles
It only seemed like a matter of time that Kansas City Chiefs' rookie wide receiver and return man Mecole Hardman was going to break loose for a touchdown on special teams, and when the Chiefs needed a big play last Sunday, that time finally came.
Hardman returned a kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown in Sunday's victory over the Chargers, putting Kansas City in the lead for good, and it earned the former second-round pick some hardware on Tuesday as the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
The electric rookie is the second member of the Chiefs to win AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors this season, as kicker Harrison Butker earned the award back in Week 9. Hardman is the first Chiefs' return man to do so since Tyreek Hill won twice in 2016.
The University of Georgia product returned 27 kicks this season, tallying an average of 26.1 yards, while handling 18 punts for a 9.3-yard average. He's also been valuable on offense all season long, hauling in 26 catches for 538 yards and six touchdowns.
Overall, Hardman is averaging 55.9 yards on his seven touchdowns this season when combining his offensive and special teams scores.
Hardman already earned himself a trip to the Pro Bowl as a return specialist prior to his touchdown on Sunday, and now with some additional hardware on the mantle, the 21-year-old Hardman continues to put together an impressive rookie campaign.
