Former Eagles All Pro Safety Wes Hopkins…dead at 57.

Philadelphia Eagles Mourn the Passing of Eagles Legend Wes Hopkins

The Philadelphia Eagles are saddened to learn that former Eagles defensive back Wes Hopkins passed away this morning at the age of 57.

“Wes Hopkins is one of the best safeties in the history of our franchise and played a major role in the team’s success during his time here in Philadelphia,” said Eagles Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie. “He was well-respected among his teammates and coaches, not only because of the way he played the game and what he was able to accomplish on the field, but also because of the way he carried himself and the type of leader he was. He had a genuine love of the game and that’s one of the reasons he connected so well with the people of Philadelphia. Wes will be forever remembered as an Eagles Legend and somebody who helped build the foundation for our organization’s success. Our thoughts are with his family during this time.”

Hopkins spent his entire 10-year NFL career in Philadelphia (1983-86, 1988-93) where he served as a pillar in the Eagles secondary. He ranks fifth on the franchise’s all-time interceptions list (30) and is tied for third all-time in games played among defensive backs (137). In 1985, he earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors after leading the team with a career-best six interceptions.

A second-round draft pick of Philadelphia in the 1983 NFL Draft, Hopkins was voted as the team’s Ed Block Courage Award recipient in 1988 for his exemplary commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.

A standout at Southern Methodist University, Hopkins was a two-time All-Southwest Conference safety who led the league with six interceptions in 1982. He was a member of SMU’s 2018 Hall of Fame induction class.

Philly.com reported that former Eagles defensive Harvey Armstrong said he is fairly certain that Mr. Hopkins was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease that has been found in more than 100 former NFL players whose families donated their brains for research.

“He just went into a shell, much like Andre [Waters] did,” Armstrong said. “You could see some of the things he was dealing with. The depression and the anxiety and the other things that CTE causes.”