WS Chronicle

By Busta Brown

For many, the story of a promising college quarterback who falls short of an NFL career is one of missed opportunities and unfulfilled dreams. But for Alan Hooker, it became the start of something far more profound. 

His story is one that transcends a tale of unmovable faith, perseverance, and the power of family.  

In the early ‘80s Alan Hooker was a household name in college football, leading his team to victory after victory and earning accolades from coaches, scouts, and fans alike. Throughout his football career at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T), he had the privilege of breaking several records. 

By his senior year, he had established himself as one of the all-time greats, and he continued to set records, and he truly earned his place in the N.C. A&T Football Hall of Fame.

Hooker is a true man of God, and he’s never embarrassed to share the low points of his college career and the challenges he faced. “I tied the record for most interceptions in a game, which was a humbling moment in my career. But in the end, every interception taught me something valuable and helped me grow as a quarterback and as a man,” he said.

I asked Alan to share his most memorable moment during the height of his college football career. What began as a tale of athletic triumph quickly revealed a deeper truth: the story of a man whose unshakable faith and strong relationship with God carried him through his greatest challenges. “That year, I had committed my life to Christ and started witnessing to my teammates, sharing my faith with them.”

Alan consistently encouraged his teammates to deepen their relationship with God, believing that faith would not only strengthen their individual spirits but also unite them as a team. “I remember one morning: my teammates and I decided to wake up early for the 6 a.m. prayer. As the time approached, we started encouraging the whole team to join us. … We believed that by making time for prayer, we were laying the foundation for strong careers and a stronger bond. …  as we prayed together, we realized how powerful that time was, both spiritually and personally.”

A few of his teammates have become pastors, and that shared experience has shaped who they are today.

Alan credits his parents and grandparents for instilling in him and his siblings a deep sense of accountability from an early age. Their words and actions shaped not only his path but his character. 

“My brother Ed … earned an athletic scholarship to Catawba College. He eventually transferred to A&T with me, securing a full scholarship for football. Then there’s my sister Michelle. …She earned a basketball scholarship at A&T, continuing the family legacy. And finally, my youngest sister Laura, … earned a track and field scholarship in her first year.

You’ve heard the saying, beside every great man, there’s a great woman. Alan was Denzel Washington of the college quarterbacks. Women were throwing themselves at the star QB, but God sent him a bodyguard in the form of a beautiful angel, his college sweetheart, Wendy. … “But for me, God had other plans. It was Wendy who kept me on track, kept me grounded in my studies. She never let anything interfere with what I knew I had to do. I wanted to be the best version of myself, especially if Wendy was going to be in my life. I had to prove to her that I could be good to her. I couldn’t cheat or take shortcuts, not with her. 

“I’ll never forget that one night.” 

It was early in their relationship. “We’d been on a few dates, but I hadn’t kissed her yet. We were in her 280Z, a beautiful sports car, and we drove to the place where couples would gather where the night would get romantic. I thought, this is it. This is the night I’m going to kiss her. But just as I was about to make my move, I heard the Holy Spirit whispering to me, saying ‘tell her about me.’

“I shared my story of salvation, the experience of finding God in my life. And Wendy, in that moment, said, ‘I want that. too.’ … I  led Wendy to the Lord, and we began studying the Word together, growing in understanding, and growing closer to one another. From that point on, I knew she was the one for me,” said an emotional Alan Hooker.

He continued, “I’ll always cherish that moment, because everything that’s beautiful in my life began with her.”

After college, Alan Hooker was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, but during the ‘80s, he was the quarterback that the NFL wasn’t ready for. He was one of the most gifted athletes to ever play the position. His skill set was ahead of its time. He was everything we now praise in modern quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Russell Wilson. But Hooker was forced to play his prime years at a time when the league wasn’t ready to see a Black man leading a football team. 

But his rock remained solid. Wendy helped Alan realize there was something greater for him to pursue. “I had already turned to God, and He gave me peace in a way that football never could.”

Alan said that he gave all of his Dallas Cowboys’ paychecks to his mom to make sure she was good, so when he came back to North Carolina, he was broke and broken. But like all love stories, there’s a happy ending. 

“Wendy, she helped me refocus and get myself together. She told me just because I wasn’t a NFL player anymore doesn’t mean I’m not valuable. And she still wanted to marry me. That meant everything to me, especially since I’d once dreamed of using those checks to propose to her, to buy a place, to build a life.”

But life didn’t unfold that way. “For three long years after I got cut, I couldn’t even afford a place to call my own. But I knew one thing for sure, I had skills, and Wendy. She was the one who reminded me of that. She always believed in me, always made me feel special, even when I couldn’t see it myself. Her love and encouragement were everything. It was her faith in me that helped me see my worth beyond football. 

“And that’s when I found my new path, starting my career in education. It wasn’t what I’d planned, but I found purpose again, all because of her love and belief in me. Wendy’s belief turned my life around, and I’ll forever be grateful for her.

“It’s been a wonderful 33-year marriage, blessed with three amazing children who are deeply rooted in their relationship with God. She was our children’s first teacher, and they spent most of their early days with her.”

Their son Hendon Hooker finished his high school football career as James B. Dudley all-time passing leader and earned NC Preps’ All-State Player of the Year honors. He was also named to the Associated Press All-State team twice. Under his leadership, Dudley won two state championships, with Hooker being named the 2016 championship MVP after scoring six touchdowns.

Hendon also starred as a quarterback for Virginia Tech Hokies and Tennessee Volunteers. He is now playing in the NFL for the Super Bowl bound and the NFC number one seed Detroit Lions.. 

“Hendon’s making far more money than I ever made in my 35 years of work. … Yet, despite all of his success, Hendon still comes to me for advice. 

“And that’s only because we introduced them to the greatest person in the world, Jesus Christ. Our relationship with Him is the foundation of everything, and it’s why Hendon, Nile and Alston honor me as their father.

“Our daughter Nile runs our family business, Hooked on Sports. A sports marketing and athlete development company that focuses on helping young athletes navigate their careers. The company assists athletes with NIL and professional deals, guiding them on how to build their personal brands and secure sponsorships or endorsements.”

What is the former college superstar quarterback doing these days? “I’ve always said it took me a while to realize that my purpose is to help people, and now, as director of recruiting, all my skills as a quarterback are coming into play. As a quarterback, your job isn’t to be the MVP; it’s to get the ball to the players who can help the team succeed..

“Now, my job with Guilford County Schools is to make sure that children are developed to their fullest potential. I do this by finding the best teachers to place in our school district. I lead a team of people who identify exceptional teachers, helping them get into positions where they can have the most impact. This is the most rewarding work I’ve ever done.”

As I always do in each of my articles. I asked the husband of 33 years what scripture he turns to for strength during his rough moments. “Brother, here’s the scripture for me. It’s from Hebrews 10:25: “Forsake not the assembling of ourselves together.” That’s where the safety is. God created us to be together. … That’s why we gather, so we can encourage one another.”

My Phenomenal Person of the Week is Alan Hooker.