Arena football great sad to see league fold

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009 | 6:29 p.m.

Hunkie Cooper

Hunkie Cooper remembers the initial years of the Arena Football League with fondness and pride.

The Canyon Springs High football coach went from fourth string wide receiver with the Arizona Rattlers to league Most Valuable Player in 1993 to start a 12-year career where he became one of indoor football’s most notable players of all time.

The league announced Tuesday that it is on the verge of folding, a fact that doesn’t sit well with the arena legend.

“It’s breaking my heart. It is a sad day for me to hear this,” Cooper said. “I know arena football will be around forever in peoples’ hearts. The guys in that league weren’t chasing money. They were about winning with class and character, and doing it with respect.”

Cooper, who gained more than 20,000 career yards on the league’s 50-yard field, could have easily passed on an invitation to play in the new league. But after one game, and despite the low $500 game check, he was sold.

“You were basically playing for free,” said Cooper, who made more money working construction after football practice during his first years in the league. “There were no million-dollar contracts or television deals. But it was our game and those were our fans. They loved us and we loved them.”

But as the league started to gain popularity, and endure more expenses in operations, travel and salaries, it started to lose what made it special, Cooper said. The league canceled its 2009 season because of financial problems. It is now set to declare bankruptcy.

“You used to be able to take your whole family for $100 and that is tickets, concessions and parking,” he said. “It’s a sad thing because they priced the families out.”

Cooper, who also shined during his college career at UNLV, won two ArenaBowl championships in five appearances.

The 1997 title game against the Iowa Barnstormers, who were quarterbacked by arena great Kurt Warner, is one of his most memorable performances of all time. Cooper returned a kickoff for a touchdown, caught a touchdown pass and had an interception return for a score in Arizona’s victory.

“That was the biggest game on the biggest stage in my life,” Cooper said.

Despite his success in the indoor league, Cooper never seriously pursued a career in the NFL. He was invited to camp with the New Orleans Saints in 1993 but didn’t make the roster.

“If I died today, I would have no regrets,” Cooper said. “My time in Arizona was so special. The community is my family,”

Cooper had his jersey No. 14 retired by Arizona in 2005. It still hangs in the rafters of U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix alongside former teammate Randy Gatewood’s No. 17. Gatewood also went to UNLV and the two receivers remain close friends.

“He lived with me and trained with me when we played. I love him to death,” Cooper said.

Cooper never hesitates talking about his arena football days to his team at Canyon Springs. But instead of bragging about his accomplishments, he speaks about how playing football is more about glory than fame and fortune.

“Arena football was based on durability before ability,” Cooper said. “You had to be tough. You had to be able to get off practice and go work a regular job. It was a great thing, the best time of my life. So many guys I played with feel the same way.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.