Cooper DeJean on Feb. 9, 2025. Photo:
Kevin Sabitus/Getty
Cooper DeJean had a (birth)day for the record books on Sunday!
The Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerback made his first interception and scored the first touchdown of his career during Super Bowl 2025 on Feb. 9, which just so happened to be his 22nd birthday.
“It’s crazy,” DeJean told reporters after the game, per the Associated Press. “I never thought that would happen. And it did happen. It’s pretty cool. I’m just happy we won the game.”
The University of Iowa alum, who was selected as the 40th pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, grew up in tiny Odebolt, Iowa, which has a population of 920 people and zero stoplights.
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His entire town stepped out on Sunday to celebrate the hometown hero, with a watch party/birthday celebration, according to the AP. Kids at the local elementary school put together the cutest hype video for the athlete.
But no one could have predicted that DeJean would make arguably the play of the game.
“Score a touchdown,” DeJean told reporters about what was going through his mind after he caught a ball that was meant for Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. “I was trying to find the fastest way to the end zone. Luckily, I got some blocks out there. I had to avoid some of those big guys, but it was just our defense working together like we have all year. It fell right into my lap.”
Cooper DeJean on Feb. 9, 2025. Emilee Chinn/Getty
DeJean’s pick-6 was the first in Eagles’ Super Bowl history, and the second-ever by a rookie in the title game. It has been nearly 40 years since a first-year player has made one in the big game, according to NBC Philadelphia.
“Yeah, he had to be dramatic about it,” Eagles safety Reed Blankenship told the news station. “He had a pick-6 in a Super Bowl for his birthday. I mean, who would want it any other way? I’m proud of him. He works so hard every day. I love seeing him succeed.”
For DeJean, the dream has become a reality. “I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid, watching this game growing up,” he said, per the AP. “Now it’s here and now I get to wear a big old ring on my finger whenever we get it, hold that trophy. It’s amazing.”
