Ironman Insider: Super Duper Hunkie Cooper
Tom Goodhines
Monday June 12, 2000
His remarkable, record-setting 17th kickoff return for a touchdown as the game-clock expired gave his Arizona Rattlers a 54-51 victory over the Avengers this past Saturday. And it still has people in LA shaking their heads in disbelief.
 Hunkie Cooper was the man of the hour (or of the 0:00 seconds) Saturday night. Image courtesy of Mike Wright |
A message for people in Los Angeles: Don’t feel bad – you aren’t the first team that Mr. Cooper has single-handedly left in despair.
Hernandez “Hunkie” Cooper’s resume includes: Arena Football League’s Ironman of the Year in 1999, Arena Bowl Ironman of the Game in 1997, Most Valuable Player in his rookie season in 1993, three-time All-Arena first-team member, and two-time All-Arena second-team selection. Additionally, he was a member of two Arena Bowl Championship teams in 1994 and 1997.
I recently had an opportunity to sit down with Hunkie before the Arizona Rattlers game against the defending champion, Albany Firebirds, and it helped me realize – or should I say re-affirmed – that the Arena Football League has one of the best role models in any sport with Hunkie Cooper.
With his long list of accomplishments, you would think that his collection of awards might have dominated our conversation that afternoon – but you would be wrong.
His travelling attire, the difference in weather climates, his son’s most recent soccer game, and his off-season activities, were just a few of the things on Hunkie’s mind just hours before the game. Which is a little surprising considering that the Rattlers had travelling problems and didn’t arrive in their hotel until 3:30 p.m. – four hours before kickoff.
The Rattlers’ luggage arrived before the team did, so Hunkie walked in to the hotel lobby with a brand new white Adidas warm-up suit. “You like it?” he asked me. “I bought it in Chicago. I didn’t have anything else to wear because the luggage beat us here!”
Despite all the troubles, he was relaxed, poised, and exuded confidence.
If you have ever had the chance to meet Hunkie, you would know immediately that there is no question that he is one of the most genuine and caring individuals that you will ever meet. One of the first things out of his mouth was “How have you been? How is your family?” And the man is truly sincere with his comments.
Hunkie is family-oriented. His family doesn’t miss a home game and they usually make the close road games – like the Los Angeles game Saturday night.
The conversation in the lobby continued, “My son scored six goals the other day,” the proud father said with a grin from ear to ear. “He’s pretty good.” Cooper takes a lot of pride with staying involved in his children’s lives. On our walk over to the Pepsi Arena, Hunkie made a quick call home to get a last-minute “good luck” wish from his son.
“Kids are the greatest,” Hunkie said. “I could stay home with them all day. They always bring me so much joy and I thank God for them every day.”
One of the great characteristics about Hunkie is that he is always quick to give praise to those who deserve it and downplays his own accomplishments unless you ask him to talk about them directly.
On and off the field, there is no question that Hunkie is the leader of the Rattlers.
I asked him if the delay would be tough on his team and he responded without even giving a second thought. “Those are excuses,” Cooper said. “You won’t hear any of us complaining tonight. We’ve come here to do a job and that’s the mindset that we have right now.”
I guess so!
The Rattlers put up 42 points before the Firebirds saw a single crooked number on their side of the scoreboard in a 59-35 drubbing of the champions for a game that was called the “biggest in Rattlers’ regular season history.”
One of the players that he has “taken under his wing” this year is AFL Rookie of the Year candidate Maurice Bryant. “He has all the talent in the world, but he still has a lot to learn,” Cooper said. “Character and the way you carry yourself go a long way – no matter what you do. I try to practice what I preach to show young guys like Maurice that talent without class is nothing.”
Hunkie does follow his own advice and you can see it with every reception and every kickoff return he makes. The next time you watch a game involving the Rattlers, pay close attention to Hunkie after he is finished carrying the ball. He always gives the ball to the official. “I’m not about dancing and showing off, or spiking the ball,” Hunkie said. “You have to act like you’ve been there before and handle yourself with class.”
And that’s exactly what Hunkie is all about – class.
Stability, character, and class were some of the words that Cooper used to express what he strives for both on and off the field. “In Los Angeles, the crowd was into it,” Hunkie said. “They were booing me and really getting on me during the game. But they were also the same fans that were asking me for autographs after the game. That shows me that I earned their respect as a player. I take a lot of pride in that.”
“Hunkie is one of those players that you wished you had a chance to play on the same team with,” said 11-year AFL veteran and quarterback for the Houston Thunderbears, Mike Hold. “There is no doubt that I am honored to have played with Hunkie Cooper – not only as a teammate, but as an opponent as well. He always gives his all and you have to respect that.”
Off the field, Hunkie has been involved in numerous charitable events. In Arizona, one such event, called T.A.P.S. (Tuition Assistance for Police Survivors), involved an appearance and the auctioning off of one of his game jerseys for families of fallen police officers. The program focused on helping provide tuition assistance for families of police officers who were killed in the line of duty. “It’s a great project that I believe in,” Hunkie said. “I just try to do what I can to help the community and this is one way I can give back.”
Cooper also played a large role in the labor dispute this past off-season and was one of the main players involved in getting this year going after the owners cancelled the season. His interaction with fellow players during the dispute might foreshadow things to come for the AFL legend.
After his playing days are over, Cooper sees himself involved in player programs for the league and judging by his role in the dispute, he already has the respect of his peers. “You should have seen my phone bills,” Hunkie said as he shook his head in amazement. “The main thing was that the players wanted to play. The conditions need to improve for the players, but not playing was not going to help things.”
Durability and quickness are key elements in the AFL and if they continue to be on Hunkie’s side – he’ll play another four or five seasons. But it’s his leadership off the field that I hope stays around much longer and I’m sure that LA Avenger fans would agree – Hunkie Cooper is indeed “Super Duper.”
Tom Goodhines was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2000 season.
