Darrell Davis: Hopson perfect choice for Hall

Four Grey Cup appearances with two victories during a 10-year reign as the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ president/CEO.

There’s no doubt Jim Hopson should be in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a builder. And that’s not even mentioning how he turned the community-owned Roughriders into the CFL’s richest franchise, playing in the league’s newest stadium, with marketing profits that surpass the total of the other eight franchises.

Hopson is being inducted this year into the Hall, along with Jon Cornish, David Williams, Terry Greer, Ernie Pitts, Mervyn Fernandez and Frank Smith.

Hopson’s first involvement with the Roughriders came as an offensive lineman in the 1970s, so he likely wanted to become a Hall of Fame player. But his calling, instead, was to become a teacher, a principal and an administrator. His experience as an educator taught him sound decision-making skills, how to explain his decisions and to accept the responsibility for them.

Although his decisions weren’t always popular, his integrity as the Roughriders’ leader was perfect for his roles. And for the Hall of Fame.