Follow OTTAWA REDBLACKS

© 2024 Ottawa REDBLACKS. All rights reserved.

Menu
News April 5, 2018

Forever a home

@dennisstp

April 2018 will be former REDBLACKS defensive lineman, Moton Hopkins, last month in Ottawa. Hopkins is set to return home to Texas after playing, coaching and working within the organization. The fans, players and coaches appreciate the positive impacts he has made on the community – as a city and as a family, we thank you for your time here.

It all started on December 16, 2013 – the 2013 CFL Expansion Draft.

Designed to assign players from existing CFL teams to the REDBLACKS, the draft was in place to get the franchise rolling in the right direction. Little did Ottawa know, they’d get members of a future Grey Cup Championship team that day.

As an expansion team entering a professional league, expectations are set low. From incorporating a way of life to a brand new culture, to most, football is more than a sport. To be effective in the CFL you need to surround yourself with champions both on and off the field. With that in mind, the management of the Ottawa REDBLACKS found success even before their inaugural season in 2014.

The REDBLACKS got more than just professional athletes that day. They brought in people who would go on to shape the franchise and the community as more than just a football player.

The City of Ottawa got brighter that day – the city got Moton Hopkins.

Hopkins was a defensive lineman that played in Winnipeg and Montreal before being selected in the third round of the expansion draft that would send his football skills and personality to the Nation’s Capital.

The 290-pound Texas product finished his seven-season CFL career having played 65 games, recording 86 tackles, 14 sacks and two interceptions in the process. His remarkable career statistics are overshadowed by his love and passion for the fans and franchise of his second-home, Ottawa.

“Coming to Ottawa ended up being the best thing for my professional career and personal life.”

In 2016, he gave back to his city – he helped the Ottawa REDBLACKS become Grey Cup Champions in what would be his final CFL game ever.

“It was the team’s championship but it was also the city’s, the fan’s, the community’s, and even those who never watched a game held some pride in the fact that we had won it for Ottawa,” said Hopkins. “Seeing so many proud and happy faces made me truly realize how much people had pride in what we had accomplished.”

Due to health concerns, Hopkins hung up his equipment for good following the Grey Cup win. Although his body didn’t approve, his mind will never move on from football.

His love, passion and respect for the sport landed him a job as a member of the REDBLACKS coaching staff. For the 2017 season, Hopkins had the opportunity to work under the guidance of defensive line coach Leroy Blugh. His time with Ottawa wasn’t over following his coaching stint as he joined the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group and its Human Resources department.


“I am probably the only person who can say they experienced and worked every aspect of the professional sports business, let alone in a 2-year span,” said Hopkins. “Making the complete circle of it has given me complete and full appreciation of how much of a team business this really is.”

Playing the bulk of his professional football career in Ottawa has given Hopkins a lot to remember but it’s what has happened off the field that he’ll never forget.

The importance of community to Hopkins was evident as soon as he stepped foot into Ottawa. His moral compass guided him towards all things good. He helped out several groups and strived to make everyone around him better, one of the most notable groups is Autism Ontario.

“One of the most powerful things is hearing parents tell me that their children on the spectrum were doing things at my camp that they never expected they could do,” said Hopkins on being able to use his status as a player to help make change. “Simply just seeing a child smile from saying hello, giving them a football card, or showing them my rings makes it all worth it.”

Hopkins has influenced change for the fans, coaches, players and people of the Ottawa. Without Hopkins, the City of Ottawa wouldn’t be the same. He’s enriched and developed a new culture both on and off the field, and for that we’re forever grateful.

From the on-field dominance to the off-field impressions – Ottawa is forever your home.

Thank you for everything and we wish you the best, Mo!