Andrew "Shay" Hopkins, a native of Crockett, Texas attended Ralph Bunche High School.

After graduating from high school, Hopkins signed a "Letter of Intent" to attend Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

After playing college football at Stephen F. Austin State University he joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1973, where he rushed for (a team record at the time) 1223 yards in his rookie season.

[1] Joining the Montreal Alouettes in 1976, he again rushed for over one thousand yards (1075 and an all-star selection), and in 1977 he was part of their Grey Cup championship team.

In 1974, Hopkins fell just short of the 1,000-yard club as his average carry took a plunge from 5.5 down to 4.1 but his 943 yards and 42 receptions earned him his second Eastern All-Star award.