Mitch Hoopes
Mitchell Kent Hoopes was an American professional football punter in the National Football League 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. He played college football at the University of Arizona.
Early life
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 also practiced basketball and baseball. As a senior, he contributed to the team winning the 1971 2A state basketball championship, with a 75-59 victory over Wickenburg High School.
College career
Hoopes enrolled at Eastern Arizona Junior College. He transferred after his sophomore season to the University of Arizona to play as a defensive back and 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. As a senior in 1974, he averaged 41.8 yards, with a long of 59.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Hoopes was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round of 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 Los Angeles Rams, he ran for a critical first down without informing head coach Tom Landry and helped the team achieve an 18–7 upset victory. He averaged 39.4 yards per punt and also completed one out of 3 passing attempts for 21 yards.
Playing in Super Bowl X with less than 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarters, the Cowboys led 10-7 when Steelers backup running back Reggie Harrison broke through the middle of the 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, 1976, with the arrival of Danny White who could play quarterback and punt, he was traded to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for an eight-round draft choice in the 1977 NFL draft.