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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Hunkie is More Than Just a Name

July 2, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


PHOENIX (July 2, 2002) -- It could be said that Arizona Rattlers' HUNKIE COOPER celebrates Independence Day, Father's Day and Memorial Day every time he hears the National Anthem before each game.

"The national anthem is what sets the tempo for me every night," he said.

For Cooper, an explosive wide receiver-linebacker for the Arena Football League's Phoenix-based team, the song carries special importance and inspiration.

"There are sounds of bombs and fireworks exploding during it, and for me, it reenacts what my father must have gone through," he said. "It sends a chill over your whole body."

Cooper's father, James, survived tours of duty in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

"When your father has fought in three major wars to protect this country and the rights and freedoms we have today, it's very important and moving," he said.

At each game following every Star-Spangled Banner rendition, Hernandez "Hunkie" Cooper personally thanks national anthem performers, whether on the road or at home, for their song.

"Once I get that chill I always go up and I shake their hand or give them a hug because that's probably one of the most sacred songs around," he said. "It's like the fight song for your country."

Hunkie's given name, Hernandez, was the name of one his father's good friend and fellow serviceman during the Vietnam War. The two agreed that should one of them be killed in action, they would name their first son after their lost friend.

"I have three boys of my own, and everybody asks me why none of them are named Junior after me. That's because my name is sentimental to me, it's something that my father gave to me because of someone special to him," said Cooper.

JAMES COOPER passed away in 1984, when Hunkie was just 14 years old.

Following his father's footsteps, Hunkie Cooper entered the U.S. Army on a delayed entry program out of high school. However, a broken ankle his senior year of high school placed him on inactive duty as opposed to infantry where he had signed to be.

After two years of duty, Hunkie received a medical discharge from the army and went on to graduate from Navarro Junior College and the University of Nevada - Las Vegas. He found his true calling in football during his college days after leaving the military.

Following two seasons in the Canadian Football League with the British Columbia Lions and the Toronto Argonauts, Hunkie experimented with Arena Football in 1993. And he hasn't looked back.

Hunkie has become arguably one of the best players in Arena Football creating and breaking records while amassing numerous Ironman and Most Valuable Player awards along the way.

As a two-time AFL Ironman of the Year (1999 and 2000), Cooper has compiled very impressive statistics in his nine-year career. ALL-PURPOSE: 18,173 yards. RECEIVING: 640 receptions for 7,153 yards and 114 TDs. RETURNS: 533 combined returns for 10,637 yards and 19 TDs. RUSHING: 111 attempts for 211 yards and 27 TDs. PASSING: 8-13, 84 yards, 7 TDs. DEFENSE: 187.5 tackles, 13 interceptions, 11 pass breakups, 5 forced fumbles, and 7 fumble recoveries.

Often, statistics alone do not fully define this man's competitive nature and dedication to his team and the sport. During the Rattlers' semifinal playoff loss to the Orlando Predators in 2000, suffering from a torn biceps, a separated shoulder and sore ankles, Cooper refused to come out the game for the second half. Instead, he positioned scoring drives for the Rattlers, by returning six kickoffs for 115 yards.

"Hunkie is a supernatural human being," GENE NUDO, Rattlers' Vice President of Operations, told the Arizona Republic. "I think he can play as many years as he wants to."

Cooper's extraordinary drive and determination he credits to the support of his devoted father.

"He used to go to all my Pop Warner games and my junior high and high school games," said Cooper. "It's hard, now that football is my way of living and my primary source of income, that he's not here to share it with me."

There's something Cooper and his father do share, though. A name.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 2, 2002


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