Just three weeks ago, Texas Southern University gathered together for a special occasion. The event celebrated the birthday of legendary alumnus Willie Hopkins. Fans, family, and friends came together, celebrating his legacy both on and off the turf. “TSU alumni gathered together yesterday to celebrate the 91st birthday of Alumnus Willie Hopkins. Happy Birthday, Mr. Hopkins. We love you,” Texas Southern University National Alumni Association shared on Facebook. However, little did they know that would be the last occasion when all of them would be together, celebrating Hopkins’ contribution.

On Wednesday, the legend passed away at the age of 91. Texas Southern legend Willie Hopkins passed at the age of 91. He recently celebrated his birthday last month. Rest well, Sir…,” wrote HBCU Legends on SI, Kyle T. Mosley. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family during this incredibly difficult time. May they find strength and comfort in the support of family, friends, and the Texas Southern community.

Her daughter, Sandra Lettsome, told HBCU Legends that her father died of Stage 4 prostate cancer.”My father loved Texas Southern. Even going through his health challenges, he felt a need to support the football team and was looking forward to the October 4th game in Houston.”

It was in 1953 when he stepped foot at Texas Southern to play football and baseball. In those days, student-athletes had to play two sports to earn a scholarship. Being part of the defending national college champion, he took the program’s record forward as he built his own legacy. He was among the four teams in the program’s history that won a conference championship.

Texas Southern is an HBCU, primarily founded to provide higher education to African Americans, established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It was 1956 when the then-head coach Alexander Durley led the Tigers to a 5-1 conference record and an overall 9-2 record. The last conference title the Tigers won was in 1968, under coach Clifford Paul, before the long stretch of drought engulfed Southern Texas. It was then in 2010 that the Tigers would again win the conference title. And Hopkins was present on the stands to witness that.

Cheering for his program after all these years, he was present on the stands, beaming with pride. “Mr. Hopkins is a true-blue Tiger fan as he attends every football and basketball game to cheer on our Tiger teams,” the Facebook post wrote. Back in 2010, the Tigers were vying for the SWAC Championship, and Hopkins had been there to cheer up their spirits.

In an interview with the Chron, back in 2010, he had recollected his initial college days, as he watched the Tigers practice drill for the SWAC Championship game, which the Tigers ultimately won against Alabama State. “My first year here, we went 7-2, and people thought that was ridiculous,” Hopkins said. “Y’all lost (two) games?” the legend continued. “What’s wrong with y’all? In later years, winning (that many) games in a year was all we could do here. It was sad. We’ve come a long, long way.”

The funeral service will be held on October 8 at McCoy and Harrison Funeral Home, 4918 Martin Luther King Blvd. Houston, Texas. He will be remembered by many. His contributions, achievements, and spirit will be cherished by his family, friends, and the college football circuit.