Former NFL linebacker Jerry Wayne Hopkins has died at 85. His funeral was Monday in Hillsboro, Texas.
(Hopkins is on the left in the photo.)
He played center and linebacker at Texas A&M from 1960-62, earning first-team All-Southwest Conference honors in his final college season. Hopkins played in three college all-star games — Blue-Gray Game, the Southwest Challenge Bowl and the All-American Classic.
The Houston Oilers selected Hopkins in the fourth round of the AFL draft in 1963. He played four seasons for the Broncos, one for the Dolphins and one for the Raiders.
Hopkins had a team-leading eight sacks in 1964 with the Broncos.
After his retirement, Hopkins owned and operated Hopkins Oil Company.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Brooks Hopkins; his son, Jerry Hopkins, Jr. (Ali); his daughter, Allison Hopkins; his granddaughter, Parker Hopkins; and his sister, Judy Baker (Buddy).
