TUCSON, Arizona — Mitch Hoopes is considered to be the first Dallas Cowboy to wear uniform number nine, but he'll be remembered for more than that.
Hoopes passed away earlier this week at the age of 67.
Hoopes was born in Bisbee, and went on to play high school sports at Benson. After two years at Eastern Arizona, he transferred to UArizona where he was one of the nation's top punters.
The Dallas Cowboys selected Hoopes in the 8th round of a heralded 1975 draft class, and he immediately became the team's starting punter. The play he may be most known for is a blocked punt in the Cowboys Super Bowl X loss to Pittsburgh.
The Cowboys then drafted Danny White, and since he also punted, Hoopes became expendable and was traded to the Chargers. He went on to punt for six different NFL teams.
In 2015, the NFL awarded Benson High a golden football, on Hoopes' behalf, as part of its historic Super Bowl celebrations.
