Brad Hopkins facts for kids
Hopkins with the Tennessee Titans
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| No. 72 | |||||||
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| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | September 5, 1970 Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 305 lb (138 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Moline (Moline, Illinois) | ||||||
| College: | Illinois (1989–1992) | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1993 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Bradley D. Hopkins (born September 5, 1970) is a former American football player. He played as a left tackle for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). All of his professional career was spent with the Houston Oilers / Tennessee Titans team. Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Early Life and High School Sports
Brad Hopkins was a talented athlete at Moline High School. He excelled in both football and basketball. In football, he played on both offense and defense. He was a defensive lineman and also played as a tight end. In basketball, he played power forward. He even played with Acie Earl, who later became a great shot-blocker for the Iowa and was picked early in the NBA draft.
College Football Career
Hopkins earned a scholarship to play football for the Illinois Fighting Illini. He joined the team in 1989. As a freshman, he was a backup offensive lineman. He helped protect quarterback Jeff George, who later became the top pick in the NFL draft. That year, the Illini had a great season with 9 wins and 2 losses. They played in the 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl.
In his second year, Hopkins became a starter. He played in ten games as the left tackle. The team finished with 8 wins and 4 losses. They tied for first place in their conference, the Big Ten. They also played in the Hall of Fame Bowl.
In 1991, Hopkins started all 12 games. He continued to protect quarterback Jason Verduzco. For his excellent play, he received "All-Big Ten" honors. This means he was recognized as one of the best players in the Big Ten Conference. The team went to the 1991 John Hancock Bowl.
For his final year in 1992, Hopkins was chosen as a team captain. He started all 12 games at left tackle again. He was named an All-American, which means he was considered one of the best college players in the entire country. The Illini played in the 1992 Holiday Bowl. Hopkins graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Speech Communications.
Professional Football Career
Brad Hopkins was chosen in the first round of the 1993 NFL draft by the Houston Oilers. In his first year, he started eleven games as a left tackle. He was named to the "All-Rookie" team by several groups. This showed he was one of the best new players in the NFL.
Hopkins started every game for the Oilers in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1999. During these years, he helped block for running back Eddie George. In 1999, the team, now called the Tennessee Titans, reached Super Bowl XXXIV. Hopkins started in this big game, but the Titans lost to the St. Louis Rams.
In 2000, Hopkins was chosen for the Pro Bowl. This is a special game where the best players from each conference play against each other. He started almost every game for the Titans that season. He was part of an offensive line that helped the team allow very few sacks. They also helped Eddie George rush for over 1,500 yards. The Titans had a great record of 13 wins and 3 losses, winning their division.
Hopkins continued to be a key player for the Titans. He earned another trip to the Pro Bowl in 2003. He started all sixteen games that season, which was the fifth time in his career he did that. The Titans had a powerful offense with quarterback Steve McNair and running back Eddie George. They scored 30 points in six games in a row, setting a team record.
Brad Hopkins announced he was retiring from football on June 14, 2006. He and Steve McNair were the last players remaining from the original Houston Oilers team.
Today, Brad Hopkins works as an analyst for SiriusXM radio. He talks about football on channels like ESPNU, B1G, ACC, SEC, Mad Dog Radio, and NFL Radio. He is also the father of Brycen Hopkins, who plays tight end for the Los Angeles Rams.
