Brad Hoover

Infobox NFLactive
currentteam=Carolina Panthers
currentnumber=45
currentpositionplain=Fullback


caption=Brad Hoover siging autographs at the Panthers' training camp facility in Spartanburg, SC.
birthdate=birth date and age|1976|11|11
birthplace=Thomasville, North Carolina
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=245
debutyear=2000
debutteam=Carolina Panthers
college=Western Carolina
undraftedyear=2001
pastteams=
* Carolina Panthers (2000-present)
nfl=HOO705549

Bradley R. Hoover (born November 11, 1976 in Thomasville, North Carolina) is an American football player who currently plays fullback for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL.

High school career

Hoover was a Shrine Bowl participant and an all-state selection at Ledford Senior High School in Thomasville, North Carolina. He led the state with 2,662 yards rushing and scored 34 touchdowns as a senior. He earned Davidson County, North Carolina and Central Carolina Conference Player of the Year honors.

College career

Hoover did not make much of an impact at Western Carolina University until his junior year. However, he exploded that season by setting a school rushing record with 1,663 yards, scoring 13 touchdowns in the process. He earned first-team All-Southern Conference honors as a result. His senior year, he followed up with 1,025 yards and 12 touchdowns, good enough for second-team All-SoCon. He became only the second player in school history to post back-to-back 1,000 rushing yard seasons. His 3,616 career yards are good enough for second all-time in school history, and his 28 touchdowns place him fifth on the list.

Pro career

Hoover went undrafted in the 2000 NFL Draft; he was later signed as a free agent by the Carolina Panthers. After a foot injury sidelined starting running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka, Hoover got two starts, including a Monday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers where he became only the second rookie in team history to post a 100-yard game (Fred Lane was the first). After switching to fullback for his second season, he became the full-time starter in 2002. He caught two passes for touchdowns that season, the first touchdown receptions of his career. During the Panthers run to Super Bowl XXXVIII, he was the primary blocker for Stephen Davis, allowing Davis to rush for a team record 1,444 yards. 2004 saw Hoover miss the first game of his career due to injury, as he sat out several games with an injured hip. However, he still managed to contribute on offense, catching two touchdown passes and rushing for 246 yards.

Hoover is widely considered to be a fan favorite. He loves to talk to fans after and before games and Carolina fans are known to yell "Hooooooooooooooooooover" whenever Hoover's name is mentioned on the loudspeakers at Bank of America Stadium, or whenever he runs a play or catches a pass. Some confused visitors think they are booing.

Career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

External links

* [http://www.panthers.com/team/teamRosterDetails.jsp?id=740 Brad Hoover] at [http://www.panthers.com Panthers.com]
* [http://www.bradhoover45.com] Official Site of the Brad Hoover Fan Club