So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 82
No. 82:
Our pick:
==Greg Hopkins, Avengers (2002-'06)
When the Arena Football League made up its Top 20 players of all time to celebrate its 20th anniversary last year, Hopkins, a four-time All-Arena team member and the 2002 "Ironman of the Year" winner, was included. An Ironman is a good thing. It means you're good on offense and defense. The AFL is a two-way street, and the receiver/linebacker was one of the best.
That '02 season, he had 102 receptions for 1,185 yards and 29 touchdowns, while recording 38.5 tackles and five interceptions, three returns for scores. In his time with the Avengers, he caught 411 passes for 4,863 yards and 96 touchdowns in his five seasons. He also scored six rushing touchdowns. On defense, he had 16 interceptions, five returned for TDs. For his AFL career: 833 receptions, 10,206 receiving yards, 196 touchdown catches, 312 tackles, 42 pass deflections, 26 interceptions (10 returned for a league-record 10 TDs), 17 fumble recoveries, 13 forced fumbles and 5.5 quarterback sacks. Sounds like video-game numbers.
After surgery to repair a torn shoulder, Hopkins officially retired and joined the team's coaching staff in '07 as the linebacker coach. In '06, he also made a run to represent the 50th district in the state of Pennsylvania, winning the primary but losing the election in November to the 30-year incumbent/windbag. You'd think there'd at least be a spot opening up for him soon on the new "American Gladiators." It's all indoors.
Other No. 82s:
==Rommie Loudd, UCLA football ('53-'55)
==Paul Cleary, USC football ('46-'47)
==Mike Sherrard, UCLA football ('83-'85), L.A. Express ('86)
Sports Illustrated's choice for the all-time No. 82: Raymond Barry over John Stallworth.
Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours: