Rip Hawkins, a Tar Heel Letterman from 1958-60 and captain his senior year, has died at the age of 76 in his home in Cheyenne, Wy.

            Hawkins attended Sewanee Military Academy in Tennessee, Carolina and Emory University Law School in Atlanta.

            Rip was the second round draft choice of the Minnesota Vikings in 1961 and played as middle linebacker until 1965. During his tenure with the Vikings, he was the first recipient of the Terry Dillon Award, served as defensive team captain, was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1963 and holds the Vikings’ record for most tackles in a single game.

            Leaving a legacy of community service, Rip served as assistant district attorney for Fulton County in Atlanta.

            A celebration of life ceremony will be at Curt Gowdy State Park Visitor Center at 11 a.m. Saturday in Cheyenne. In honor of Rip, his fellow football players and all the families touched by dementia, the family respectfully requests donations to the Lewy-Body Dementia Association (www.lbda.org) in lieu of flowers.