 Hopkins with theTennessee Titans | |||||||||
| No. 72 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Offensive tackle | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | (1970-09-05)September 5, 1970 (age 55) Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. | ||||||||
| 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: 1st round, 13th overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Bradley D. Hopkins (born September 5, 1970) is an American former professionalfootball player who was aleft tackle for 13 seasons in theNational Football League (NFL), all of them with theHouston Oilers / Tennessee Titans organization. He playedcollege football for theIllinois Fighting Illini.
Hopkins was an outstanding two-sport athlete atMoline High School, lettering in football as well as basketball. In football, Hopkins played on both offense and defense, playing on the defensive line as well as at tight end. In basketball, Hopkins played power forward, and was in the same lineup as futureIowa shot-blocker and NBA first-round draft pickAcie Earl.
Hopkins received a scholarship to play football for theIllinois Fighting Illini and was recruited byJohn Mackovic. As a freshman, Hopkins was a reserve offensive lineman, blocking for future NFL overall first pickJeff George. George guided the Illini to the1990 Florida Citrus Bowl against theVirginia Cavaliers after a 9–2 record, second only to theMichigan Wolverines in the Big Ten Conference.
His sophomore year, Hopkins became a starter, and started ten games at left tackle for quarterbackJason Verduzco. The Illini posted an 8–4 record, tied for first in the Big Ten and went to theHall of Fame Bowl, losing to theClemson Tigers. The following season, in 1991, Hopkins started all 12 games once again protecting Verduzco, and received All-Big Ten honors. The team posted a 6–6 record, good for fifth place in the Big Ten, and a trip to the1991 John Hancock Bowl.
His senior year, Hopkins was selected team captain by first-year coachLou Tepper, along with John Wright and Steven Mueller. He started all 12 games at left tackle and was namedAll-American as well as All-Big Ten. The Illini played in the1992 Holiday Bowl, finishing with a 6–5–1 season.
Hopkins graduated fromUniversity of Illinois with a degree in Speech Communications.
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft3+3⁄8 in (1.91 m) | 306 lb (139 kg) | 33+5⁄8 in (0.85 m) | 9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) | 5.19 s | 1.82 s | 3.03 s | 4.63 s | 27.0 in (0.69 m) | 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m) | 18 reps |
Hopkins was selected in the first round of the1993 NFL draft with the 13th overall pick by theHouston Oilers.[1] In his rookie season, Hopkins started eleven games at left tackle and was named first-team All-Rookie by several organizations.[1]
Hopkins started all sixteen games for the Oilers for the 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1999 seasons, blocking for fellow Big Ten alumnusEddie George.[2] In 1999, the Titans made it toSuper Bowl XXXIV in which Hopkins started, however they lost to theKurt Warner-ledSt. Louis Rams.
In 2000, Hopkins earned a trip to thePro Bowl, starting in all but one game for theTennessee Titans. Hopkins was part of an offensive line that allowed the third-lowest number of sacks in the NFL, and George gained over 1,500 yards rushing. That season, the Titans finished with a 13–3 record, winning the AFC Central Division, but lost to theBaltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs.
Hopkins continued starting for the Titans, and earned another trip to the Pro Bowl in 2003, starting all sixteen games for the fifth time in his career. The Titans were propelled by a high-powered offense withSteve McNair andEddie George, which scored 30 points in six consecutive games – a franchise record.
He announced his retirement from football on June 14, 2006. Along withSteve McNair, he was the last player left from the Houston Oilers.
He currently works as an analyst for SiruisXM's ESPNU, B1G, ACC, SEC, Mad Dog Radio and NFL Radio.
He is the father ofLos Angeles Rams tight endBrycen Hopkins.[3]
