Mitchell Kent Hoopes (July 8, 1953 – August 11, 2020) was an American professional football punter in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.
He transferred after his sophomore season to the University of Arizona to play defensive back and punter.
As a junior in 1973, he ended up concentrating on punting and was among college football's leaders with a 43.9 average, second in school history at the time.
Facing 4th and 13 in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, he ran for a critical first down without informing head coach Tom Landry and helped the team achieve an 18–7 upset victory.
Playing in Super Bowl X with less than 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarters, the Cowboys led 10-7 when Steelers backup running back Reggie Harrison broke through the middle of the offensive line and blocked a Hoopes' punt out of the end zone for a safety, cutting the lead to 10-9.
[11] He became part of a revolving door at punter with Rick Engles, where he was signed three times during the season.