Hunkie Cooper reaches 20,000 all-purpose yards for his career
Published on April 12, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
20, 000 all-purpose yards. To understand the significance of that number, one must remember that the Arena Football Field is 50 yards long. That means that 20, 000 yards is equal to 400 AFL fields. How's that for putting it in perspective? Now keep in mind that in the 18-year history of the AFL, only one man out of the 2,588 men who have played the game has ever compiled 20,000 all-purpose yards. Until now.
Thanks to his 46 yard performance in the win over Las Vegas on Saturday, Arizona's Hunkie Cooper became the second man in Arena Football League history with 20,000 career all-purpose yards. Cooper joins George LaFrance as the only men to achieve that number. Rattler fans know just how important Hunkie is to not only on the field, but in the locker room as well.
"Coop is a legend. There's no other way to put it. He'll always be remembered, even after the No. 14 jersey is put on the shelf for good," says Brian Gomez, a Rattler fan who travels to every Rattler road game in addition to attending all the home games. "Hunkie's contributions are simply immeasurable. Whether he's heading in motion toward the line of scrimmage, tracking down wide receivers from the linebacker position or providing protection on kickoff returns, Hunkie is all over the place."
Hunkie Cooper is the epitome of Arena Football, the two-way, non-stop, in your face type of player who will do whatever is necessary to help the team earn the "W". And earn the "W" he has, as evidenced by his two ArenaBowl rings, and four ArenaBowl appearances. Hunkie has done just about all there is to do in the Arena Football League. He was the AFL MVP in 1993, his rookie season. He was named the AFL's Ironman of the Year in 1999, and just for good measure won the award again in 2000, one of only two men to win both the MVP and the Ironman trophy, and one of two men to win the Ironman of the Year award twice. Cooper has been named First Team All-AFL four times, and Second Team All-AFL twice. He was also named ArenaBowl XI's Ironman of the Game.
Just how did Hunkie Cooper arrive at 20,000 All-Purpose yards? Here's a look at his statistical breakdown:
Receiving Yards: 8, 336
Rushing Yards: 264
Kickoff Return Yards: 9, 558
Missed Field Goal Return Yards: 1, 670
Interception Return Yards: 197
TOTAL ALL-PURPOSE YARDS: 20, 025
In case you need more evidence of Hunkie's legacy, he's also kicked off, thrown 9 touchdown passes, and scored 198 touchdowns in his career. And remember, these are just regular season numbers.
The postseason is a whole different story for Cooper. No one can turn it on in the clutch like #14. Need an example? June 1, 2003, STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The Rattlers and the Avengers met in the AFL Quarterfinals, winner would advance on to play the SaberCats for a shot at ArenaBowl XVII. Hunkie's numbers don't jump out at you (five catches, 72 yards, 3 TDs), but those who witnessed the game saw why Hunkie Cooper is so great.
"One of my fondest memories of Hunkie came last season, when he scored three second-half touchdowns (with an injured hand) in the Rattlers' 70-63 win against the Avengers in the AFL quarterfinals," gushes Gomez. "Without Hunkie's contributions that game, the Rattlers never would have made a second straight trip to the ArenaBowl."
Of those three second half scores, one was a one-handed, twisting, leaping grab in the end zone. Another was a fumble recovery on a kickoff that turned the momentum of the game in the Rattlers favor. They went on to a 70-63 win, and a second straight trip to the ArenaBowl.
"I can't even begin to put into words how important Hunkie is to this team," says QB Sherdrick Bonner, Coop's teammate for eleven seasons. "He is the heart and soul, the leader, the field general. He does so many things, and I'm not even talking about on the field things. It's no surprise to me that he's gained that many yards. I've been watching him for 11 years, and I don't think you can find a player who plays with more passion than Hunkie."
"I don't think people realize how significant 20, 000 all-purpose yards is," says Gene Nudo, Rattlers VP of Operations and an 18-year AFL veteran. "Only two players in 18 years have ever hit that number. Two players. That's a pretty amazing feat, and I think it's all that more special when you consider that all 20, 000 yards were gained in one uniform. That is rare nowadays."
If anyone is downplaying the 20, 000 yard mark, it is the man himself. Individual accolades aren't what he plays for. He plays for wins and rings, for the love of the game, and to give the Snake Pit crowd an opportunity to yell "COOOOOOP".
"(20, 000) is no big deal to me," says Cooper. "As far as I'm concerned, it's my job to gain yards. It's nothing special, it's just a reflection of me doing my job, and doing what I am being paid to do. If those yards helped my team earn a victory, earn a ring or two, then I am satisfied."
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 12, 2004
- Hunkie Cooper reaches 20,000 all-purpose yards for his career - Arizona Rattlers
- McPherson perfect in win over Cobras - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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