Hopkins named to AFL Hall of Fame
Former Waynesburg High School star Greg Hopkins added another honor to his mantle Saturday when it was announced he had been voted into the Arena Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013.
A three-sport star in football, wrestling and track at Waynesburg, Hopkins took his talents to Slippery Rock, where he was a four-year letterman in football and two-year letterman in wrestling. He is already a member of that school’s Hall of Fame after being named three times to the all-PSAC team and setting nine career receiving records, finishing his career with 215 receptions for 3,382 yards.
He joined the Albany franchise of the AFL in 1996 and spent the next five seasons starring for the Firebirds, before the team moved to Indiana in 2001. After the 2001 season, Hopkins, now 41, played his final five years in the AFL with Los Angeles, which has retired his No. 82.
He was a four-time All-Arena selection, four-time All-Ironman selection, including being named Ironman of the Year in 2002, and was a member of one ArenaBowl champion.
Hopkins, who played both linebacker and wide receiver, was named the league’s 15th greatest wide receiver in 2012 when the AFL announced its Silver Anniversary team, and ranks third on the league’s all-time list in interception returns for a touchdown with 10.
He finished his career with 833 receptions for 10,206 yards and 196 touchdowns, while adding 26 career interceptions and 5.5 sacks.
“I had a lot of great memories, but the ArenaBowl was probably the biggest,” Hopkins told ArenaNation recently. “We won the ArenaBowl in 1999 and I got my picture with the Jim Foster trophy and a big ring to show for it. I have a lot of memories with that group of guys. It was a very special relationship that we all had.
“When people have asked if I would trade it in for an opportunity to play in the NFL or on a bigger stage, I always say no because I wouldn’t trade in all the great relationships and friends I’ve made. it’s not worth it. I had some great people that put me in some very good situations and we’ve made the best of our time together. So I would not trade all that in or give it up. The memory of winning the ArenaBowl is pretty special.”
Hopkins has twice run for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Greene County as a Republican, losing both times to incumbent Bill DeWeese.
Joining Hopkins in the 2013 class are wide receiver/linebacker Dory Fleming, wide receiver/linebacker Darryl Hammond, fullback/linebacker Bob McMillen, wide receiver/linebacker Lawrence Samuels and longtime official Carl T. Pagnetti.