Andy Hopkins

Andy Hopkins
Date of birth	October 19, 1949
Place of birth	Crockett, Texas, U.S.
Date of death	October 1, 2017 (aged 67)
Place of death	Sugar Land, Texas, U.S.
Career information
CFL status	International
Position(s)	RB
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	186 lb (84 kg)
US college	Stephen F. Austin State
NFL draft	1971 / round: 15 / pick: 368
Drafted by	Houston Oilers
Career history
As player
1971–1973	Houston Oilers
1973–1975	Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1976–1977	Montreal Alouettes
CFL East All-Star	1973, 1974, 1976
Honors	1977 - Grey Cup Champion

Andrew P. Hopkins Sr. was an all-star Canadian Football League (CFL) running back. Andrew "Shay" Hopkins, a native of Crockett, Texas attended Ralph Bunche High School. He was a member of the High School Choir, Ralph Bunche Gazette, Year-book Staff and sports editor of the Ralph Bunche Year-book. Andy showed extraordinary athletic abilities in high school. He was a stand-out star in track, baseball, and football. Hopkins didn't make the football team: he was cut as a ninth-grader under the coaching of his father, Andrew J. Hopkins. Hopkins used this incident as a determining factor to try harder. He later became captain of his high school football team.

The making of a superstar

After graduating from high school, Hopkins signed a "Letter of Intent" to attend Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. He was drafted into the National Football League (NFL) by the Houston Oilers in 1971. He later finished his professional football career in the CFL in Canada; playing for both the Hamilton Ti-Cats and Montreal Alouettes Professional Football Teams.

After playing college football at Stephen F. Austin State University he joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1973, where he rushed for (a team record at the time) 1223 yards in his rookie season.^[1] Joining the Montreal Alouettes in 1976, he again rushed for over one thousand yards (1075 and an all-star selection), and in 1977 he was part of their Grey Cup championship team.^[2]

Personal life

Hopkins was married to his high school sweetheart, Ann Hopkins (Public Education Administrator); and they are the parents of four children: Dr. Alicia Hopkins; Andrew Hopkins II; Aaric Hopkins, B. Sc./Master Degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement; and Ashton Hopkins, Mechanical Engineer.

The Hopkins family lives in Missouri City, Texas, and attends Brentwood Baptist Church (Houston, Texas). Hopkins was CEO of his own company, Copier Systems. Inc.

NFL achievements

All-time East Texans in NFL draft: Hopkins, Andy RB NFL draft 1971 round 15 #368

CFL achievements

Andy Hopkins was a three-time Eastern All-Star and twice cracked the magical 1,000-yard mark in rushing in his five-year CFL career. Hopkins broke into the CFL with Hamilton in 1973 and led the East in rushing with 1223 yards to get his first East All-Star honor. In 1974, Hopkins fell just short of the 1,000-yard club as his average carry took a plunge from 5.5 down to 4.1 but his 943 yards and 42 receptions earned him his second Eastern All-Star award. Injuries limited Hopkins to just 463 yards in 8 games in 1975. Hopkins joined the Montreal Alouettes in 1976 and bounced back for his second 1,000 yards season with 1075 yards and a career high 43 pass receptions to capture his third Eastern All-Star award. In 1975, Hopkins appeared in only 5 games and had 218 yards rushing. Hopkins finished his career with 3922 yards rushing.

CFL all-time rushing list (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)

CFL most rushing yards – season (Andy Hopkins, RB);

CFL all-time rusher (1,000 yard rushers) 1976

CFL all-time All Stars (Montreal Alouettes) Andy Hopkins; 1976

CFL record single-season rushing (Andy Hopkins) 1973

CFL record career carries; 552 (Andy Hopkins); 1973

CFL record single-season carries; 232 (Andy Hopkins) 1973 &1974