Jerry Hopkins (American football)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chalk Bluff, Texas, U.S.
| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born | January 24, 1941 Chalk Bluff, Texas, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College | Texas A&M University |
| Career history | |
| 1963–1966 | Denver Broncos |
| 1967 | Miami Dolphins |
| 1968 | Oakland Raiders |
| Awards and highlights | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Jerry Wayne Hopkins (born January 24, 1941) is an American former professional football player who played linebacker for six seasons for the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Oakland Raiders.
Hopkins was born on January 24, 1941, in Chalk Bluff, Texas, a small town located near Waco, Texas, to Roy and Vada Ethel (Garrett) Hopkins.[1][2][3] He was raised in Mart, Texas, where his parents farmed and operated Hopkins Oil Company.[3]
He attended Mart High School in Central Texas. As a 177 lb (80.3 kg) sophomore in 1956, he played center on Mart's football team on offense, and was a key to the team's defense. The 1956 team won the district title and advanced to the Texas Class A playoffs. As a junior in 1957, the 190 lb (86.2 kg) Hopkins was an All-State guard, playing both offense and defense; and Mart tied for the state title.[4][5]
He entered his senior year at 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (90.7 kg). He played linebacker on defense and also played guard on the offensive line.[5] Hopkins was also the team's placekicker.[6] He was again an All-State guard as a senior in 1958.[7] He was also reported to be a All-American.[2] He was captain of his football team, and selected as a Super Centex Star three times.[8] Hopkins played multiple sports while at Mart, earning fourteen athletic letters.[7]
In 2003, he was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame.[9]
College career
Hopkins attended Texas A&M University on a football scholarship.[7] He graduated with a business administration degree.[8] He played center on offense and linebacker on defense at Texas A&M, in the Southwest Conference (SWC). He was second-team at center on the 1959 All-SWC freshman team.[10]
As a senior in 1962, he was a team co-captain; and his three interceptions on defense at linebacker led the team.[11] In 1962, Hopkins was voted first-team All-SWC at center by the Associated Press's (AP) coaches poll.[12][13][9] He also played linebacker on defense alongside future NFL linebacker Lee Roy Caffey.[14][15] Hopkins was selected to play in the Blue Gray Game,[16] was the South's starting center in the Southwest Challenge Bowl in January 1963,[11] and also was named to the West team of college all stars for the April 1963 All-America Classic.[17]