 Hopson in 2010 | |
| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Positions | Guard •Offensive tackle |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1951-03-01)March 1, 1951 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Died | April 2, 2024(2024-04-02) (aged 73) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Thom Collegiate |
| CJFL | Regina Rams |
| Career history | |
| 1973–1976 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
Canadian Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2019) | |
James Douglas Hopson[1] (March 1, 1951 – April 2, 2024) was a Canadian professionalfootball player and executive. After playing as anoffensive lineman, he served as the president and chief executive officer for theSaskatchewan Roughriders of theCanadian Football League (CFL). Hopson served in the latter role from 2005 until 2014.[2] Under his stewardship, the Roughriders captured theGrey Cup in 2007 and 2013, and the team recorded record profits.[3]
Born inRegina, Saskatchewan,[4] Hopson was involved with football in Saskatchewan for much of his life. He played high school football forThom Collegiate in Regina, and then joined theRegina Rams to play junior football. After completing his junior career, Hopson joined the Roughriders in 1973. He became a starter on the offensive line for the Roughriders in 1974, when his career overlapped with Roughrider greatsRon Lancaster andGeorge Reed.[2] During 1975 and 1976, Hopson played professional football while teaching inLumsden, Saskatchewan.[2] After the 1976 Grey Cup, which Saskatchewan lost to theOttawa Rough Riders, Hopson retired to focus on his teaching career.[2]
Hopson graduated from theUniversity of Regina with a degree in education and went on to receive a master's degree from theUniversity of Oregon. Divorced with two grown children, as of September 2010, he was engaged to marry Brenda Edwards.[5] In 2021, Hopson was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He died from the disease on April 2, 2024, at the age of 73.[4]