Hunkie Cooper
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Hernandez James Cooper (born May 17, 1969 in Palestine, Texas) is a former American football receiver and linebacker who played for the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League until his retirement in 2005. He is a two time recipient of the Ironman of the Year award and was voted league MVP in 1993.
| Hernandez "Hunkie" Cooper | |
|---|---|
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| Date of birth: | May 17, 1969 |
| Place of birth: |  Palestine, Texas |
| Career information | |
| Position(s): | WR / LB |
| Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight: | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| College: | UNLV |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1993–2005 | Arizona Rattlers |
| Career highlights and Awards | |
| Awards: | 1993 MVP, Ironman of the Year 1999,2000 |
| Honors: | 15th Anniversary team, top twenty AFL players all time list |
| Retired #s: | 14 |
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Hunkie Cooper was the son of a military veteran and the youngest, and shortest, of 5 children. He received the name Hernandez from a pact his father had made to his best friend prior to the Vietnam War. The pact they made said that if either were to die, the other would name his next child after him.[1]
[edit] High School Years
Cooper attended Westwood High School in Round Rock, Texas and was a student and a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. In football, he played quarterback.
[edit] College years
Hunkie went on to play at Navarro College in Texas where he lead the Bulldogs to a NJCAA national championship in 1989. He soon transferred to University of Nevada, Las Vegas. At UNLV, he played six different positions, and he was a two-time All-Big West Conference selection. As a punt returner during his senior season he was selected as an All American. He received a B.A. in Criminal Law and Education in 1991.
[edit] Arena Football League Career
After his time at UNLV, Hunkie believed his football career was over, so he took a job at a Las Vegas area casino. He tried playing in the Canadian Football League, but was not very successful. One day at work a man named Pete Katella asked him if he would like to sign a contract with the Arizona Rattlers organization.
[edit] 1993
Hunkie arrived at camp as a fourth string receiver but quickly worked his way up the depth chart. By the end of the year he was selected as the league MVP, and an all-star as an Offensive Specialist. This was all after he broke the AFL record for kickoff return yards with 1423 yards.
[edit] 1994
Hunkie helped take the team to their first ArenaBowl appearance,which they won 36-31.
[edit] 1995
After a great year he was again selected as an all-star specialist.
[edit] 1996
A year after making the transition to a two way receiver and linebacker, he was selected as an all star once again.
[edit] 1997
Hunkie was a second team all star selection. He helped lead the team to their second ArenaBowl win and was voted as Ironman of the game after catching a 30 yard touchdown pass, returning a kick for a touchdown, and returning an interception for a touchdown.
[edit] 1999
He was voted Tinactin Ironman of the Year, Second Team All-Arena - WR/LB, and All-Ironman Team.
[edit] 2000
He was again voted Tinactin Ironman of the Year, First Team All-Arena - WR/LB, and All-Ironman Team - WR/LB.
[edit] 2001
Once again he was selected to the All-Ironman Team - WR/LB and for the first time was a First Team member of the 15th Anniversary Team - WR/LB.
[edit] 2002-2004
He helped lead the team to three consecutive appearances in the ArenaBowl.
[edit] 2005
Cooper began the season on Injured Reserve, missing the first two games of the season with a quad injury. He soon retired after being cut.
[edit] Stats
Cooper is one of only two players to earn both AFL MVP (1993) and Ironman of the Year awards (1999, 2000) in a career. He is also one of two players to earn Ironman awards twice. He finished his career as Arizona's all-time leader in receiving yards (8,559), receptions (776), forced fumbles (7), fumble recoveries (11) and touchdowns (205). Cooper is also the Arena Football League's all-time leader in all-purpose yardage (20,587) and kickoff returns (500).[2]
[edit] Retirement
After being cut by the Rattlers in 2005, he decided to hang up his cleats. On May 6, 2005, the Arizona Rattlers retired his #14 into the rafters at the Snake Pit.
[edit] Post Pro career
He is now an assistant coach for the Utah Blaze under his former coach Danny White. Cooper resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hunkie is married to his wife, Tiffany and has six children: Nigel (19), Dirik (18), Simone (17), Brianna (11), A.J. (10), and Destini (7).
[edit] Trivia
- In 1994, he also joined the New Orleans Saints (NFL).
- Prior to the Rattlers he played with the British Columbia Lions (CFL) from 1991-1992.
