Brad Hopkins
Hello, everyone. Fall is officially upon us following the harvest moon. It is October; time for leaves to change, cool nights and mornings. The days are a bit shorter. It’s also time for Halloween, football and, of course, the Philanthropy issue of YOUR Williamson.
Often, I have said in this column, that I feel the people are the biggest part of what makes this amazing community so amazing. Our Southern Gentleman for this issue is a perfect example why. “A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out."- George Bernard Shaw
This month we meet a hero, on the field for the Tennessee Titans, at home with his family and in our amazing community helping others that can’t help themselves: Mr. Brad Hopkins. I recently had the honor learning a little more about him and what motivates him.
"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” - L.M. Montgomery
What are some of the things you love most about Williamson County and why you choose to call it HOME?
My wife and I call Williamson County affectionately God's Country! I love the rolling hills and trees that drape the landscape. It truly is a beautiful part of the country.
When I was drafted to the Houston Oilers I loved being in a large city with all it's access but after moving to Nashville and having dual residency, I quickly fell in love with the quaintness of middle Tennessee. I missed the fall foliage and somewhat mild winters when I would go back to Houston.
So we made Tennessee our permanent residence.
Tell me about your family and where you grew up.
I grew up in an area of Illinois on the Mississippi River called the Quad Cities, known for John Deere and other farm implement plants. Moline, Rock Island, East Moline and Davenport, IA, were the four.
Moline wasn’t a small town but certainly wasn’t like Chicago, which was 180 miles to our east.
Who were your role models growing up and how did they influence you?
My dad, Phillip, was the person who instilled in me a work ethic, and my mom, Rosalind, instilled in me curiosity.
I didn’t have role models outside of my family. My parents worked hard to provide my siblings and I an opportunity at a good education and guidance.
That’s probably why, after being drafted, I moved them to Houston. And when we moved to Tennessee, I moved them again. They live practically next door in the neighboring subdivision.
At what age did you start playing football? At what age were you when you truly thought, " I am going to play in the NFL"?
I never wanted to play in the NFL. It wasn't my goal ever in life. I know that sounds strange but basketball was my true love. I didn't really start playing football until I was a junior in high school and that was for me to stay in shape for basketball. (Or so I thought).
When I was a kid my dad would make me go out for football to stay out of trouble and for discipline. But I never actually played. I sat the bench almost intentionally.
My sophomore year I made the decision to play football on my own without my dad telling me to so I applied myself a little more.
It wasn't until my coach switched me from offensive line to tight end in my junior year that I started to enjoy being athletic with the ball in my hand. I felt like I was playing basketball, just on grass.
Interestingly enough, scouts at the University of Illinois were looking at another prospect from East Moline and happened to see me play. I was unranked in the state and was surprised when offers from other schools started coming in the mail; more than I was receiving to play basketball.
I excelled enough to get my college paid for at the University of Illinois, which had become the goal.
Little did I know, my coach at Illinois saw an opportunity for me to switch to offensive line during my freshman year to play left tackle.
I excelled so much that the Oilers took me with the thirteenth pick of the 1993 NFL draft.
So to say none of it was intentional would be an understatement.
What is your favorite memory of playing with the Titans?
There have been plenty of moments during my thirteen-year career that stand out. The Music City Miracle, playing in the Super Bowl and Pro Bowls, for example.
But playing against NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith on Sunday Night Football in Washington, D.C. will always be special to me.
Being a great player, Bruce was mic'd for television, and no one really knew anything about me at the time.
I'm sure most thought he would have his way with me, but it was the exact opposite. I had one of the best games of my life, and the entire NFL world witnessed it.
It was from that one game I started to gain recognition.
What do you enjoy most about your career today?
The NFL has given me a platform allowing me to connect to people. I love the dialogue I have with people of all walks of life about so many different things.
I also love interpreting and articulating my previous life as an NFL player which coincides with what I'm doing on so many different levels.
So, like most things in life, I enjoy the people I interact with every day the most.
What and to whom do you attribute your success?
Mike Munchak is an NFL Hall of Fame player and was not only my teammate when I was drafted, but became the guy who taught me how to be a football player.
He taught me technique and a way of doing things systemically. I carried those lessons into life after football as well
Developing a technique and a way of doing something makes the process easier and produces better outcomes.
What motivates you?
Being a dad myself. I had such a great example from my dad on being accountable to family which makes me feel it's importance. The love for my kids has always lead me to wanting to be better and do more for the ones I love.
God blessed me with my amazing kids and I try my best to be a good example of love and strength for them so they know what it looks like.
What advice would you give a younger you or to today's younger generation to help them reach their potential and be the best they can be in life as well as career?
If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. I think most people have heard that, but it's so true.
Your commitment is different. Your level of accomplishment doing something you are passionate about is different. People work every day doing something, but for most it's just a means to an end, not what gets you up in the morning ready to tackle the day. (I really wasn't intending the football metaphor).
My advice would be to follow YOUR passion, not someone else's, and be prepared as best you can on all levels.
How would you describe a Southern Gentleman and what traits and characteristics do they possess?
A Southern Gentleman is confident in what he does. His presence is felt without saying a word, and when he does, it's captivating.
A Southern Gentleman is, in the name of it, a gentleman to others and ultimately a leader of men.
Southern Gentlemen have a distinct manner that can be recognized in everything they do.
What are your hobbies, activities and favorite pastimes?
I never really had a hobby growing up, so it makes it hard for me to have one as an adult.
I loved playing basketball until I couldn’t anymore (knee replacement).
I love playing cards of all kinds. Blackjack, solitaire, spades, hearts, etc.
If I’m not studying football for my next assignment, that’s usually what you can find me doing.
What is one thing you don't go a day without?
Making the bed and working out.
Making the bed every day is a small sense of accomplishment that I can control every time I get out of it, and I'm reminded of that accomplishment when I go to get back in it.
I’ve also learned that doing something, whether it be lifting weights or going for a walk, is the best thing for me.
It’s part of a healthy lifestyle I try to maintain, especially after the rigors of playing professionally.
I’ve got to stay in shape mentally and physically.
If you could share dinner, drink & conversation with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I've heard some absolutely amazing things about Denzel Washington. We have similar acquaintances, and they've shared things about him that are truly intriguing and insightful about how he carries himself and how he touches people.
Extremely talented actor, even better person.
Tell us about your philanthropic endeavors in this community and why you feel it is essential to give back.
I'm on the board of a non-profit in Williamson County called Davis House.
Davis House is the child advocacy center for Williamson County dealing with sexually abused kids. We are essentially first responders helping families deal with abuse in the home.
The only way to make our communities the places we'd like to live in is to get involved. Helping shape what our community looks like is important to me, and working with the people of Davis House has become a big priority for me because I know it affects people in my community.
Lending aid when you can is not only the right thing to do, but it's what God intended for us as human beings.
How do you balance work, giving back, and family?
They’re all connected in some form or fashion. That makes them all a priority not only for me but for the people close to me.
A lot of what I do is public-facing, and that sometimes includes my family’s participation.
What makes a good team player?
A good team player communicates well and is accountable for the role they play within the team.
A good team player is prepared and can be trusted to do what is necessary to make the team goals accomplishable.
A good team player is committed to the team.
What is your "mission statement" for life?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That is the golden rule in most all religions. It is the foundation for who we are as people and if we all lived by that, the world would be pleasing to us and God who created it. The mission is clear. Be better as individuals to be better as a society.
Creating the landscape of beauty, I see in these rolling hills within myself and those around me binds me to this community.
I love Williamson County!
God, Family and Community. Someone who chooses, affectionately, to call Williamson County "God's Country," and HOME. A leader. A Gentleman.
Thank you, Brad.
