Mitch Hoopes

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Mitch Hoopes
No. 9, 12, 10, 17
Position:
Punter
Personal information
Born:(1953-07-08)July 8, 1953
Bisbee, Arizona, U.S.
Died:August 11, 2020(2020-08-11) (aged 67)
Vista, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:207 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school:Benson (AZ)
College:Arizona
NFL draft:1975 / Round: 8 / Pick: 200
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Punts:123
Punt yards:4,760
Longest punt:57
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Mitchell Kent Hoopes (July 8, 1953 – August 11, 2020) was an

punter in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. He also was a member of the Boston Breakers in the United States Football League (USFL). He played college football at the University of Arizona
.

Hoopes died on August 11, 2020, aged 67.[1]

Early years

Hoopes attended Benson High School in Benson, Arizona, where he played as a halfback in Class B football. He received All-Conference, All-State and All-Star honors.

He enrolled at

punter
.

As a junior in 1973, he ended up concentrating on

punting and was among college football's leaders with a 43.9 average, second in school history at the time.[2]
As a senior in 1974, he averaged 41.8 yards, with a long of 59.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Hoopes was selected by the

1975 NFL Draft, also known as the Dirty Dozen draft. That season he and Burton Lawless
were the only rookies to earn starting jobs.

Facing 4th and 13 in the season opener against the

punt
and also completed one out of 3 passing attempts for 21 yards.

Playing in

offensive line and blocked a Hoopes' punt out of the end zone for a safety
, cutting the lead to 10-9. The Steelers went on to win 21-17.

On August 3,

punt, he was traded to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for an eight-round draft choice (#208-Al Cleveland) in the 1977 NFL draft.[4]

San Diego Chargers

On November 9, 1976, Hoopes was released mid-season after averaging 38.8 yards per punt and running from a punt formation on a fourth and 17 against the Houston Oilers.[5]

Houston Oilers

On November 12,

punt.[6]

Saint Louis Cardinals

On May 18, 1977, Hoopes signed with the Saint Louis Cardinals.[7] He was waived on September 9.[8]

Detroit Lions

On September 10, 1977, he was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions.[9] On September 22, he was released after one game, in which he had a punt blocked and another one returned for a touchdown.[10]

Philadelphia Eagles

On June 7,

punter with Rick Engles, where he was signed three times during the season.[12]

Boston Breakers (USFL)

On November 20, 1982, he was signed by the Boston Breakers of the United States Football League.[13] He tore his right hamstring during mini-camp. Even though he was able to recover, he later re-injured the hamstring. He announced his retirement after the 13th game of the 1983 season. He registered 23 punts for 866 yards (37.7-yard avg.) with a long of 60 yards.

References

  1. ^ Mitchell Kent Hoopes
  2. ^ "Rookies' Gamble Keys Ram Upset". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  3. ^ "Many Doubted Cowboys". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  4. ^ "Stram On The Carpet". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  5. ^ "Transactions". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  6. ^ "Blount Uses Horse Cure". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  7. ^ "Cardinals sign Hoopes". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  8. ^ "Transactions". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  9. ^ "Lions sign Mitch Hoopes". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  10. ^ "Lions Give Hoopes Boot, Sign 5th Punter of Year". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  11. ^ "Eagles place Thorns on waivers". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  12. ^ "Plunkett, Jury Waived". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  13. ^ "Transactions". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
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