It has been a historic season for cornerback Cooper DeJean of the Philadelphia Eagles. Drafted 40th overall, DeJean became an integral part of an Eagles defense that finished as the second-best unit, according to PFN’s Defense+ metric, and stifled Patrick Mahomes and Co. in Super Bowl 59.
He eventually earned a PFWA All-Rookie selection and was even in the running for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. However, all season, DeJean had yet to record a single interception. That is, until the biggest game of his life.
Cooper DeJean on His Super Bowl Performance
The entirety of the first half was all Eagles. They held the legendary Kansas City Chiefs, in the midst of one of the greatest dynasties in league history and coming in as the reigning back-to-back champions, to a scoreless half.
While it started off slow, it was DeJean who kicked it into second gear. Intercepting an errant pass from Mahomes, who up until that point had recorded just one first down, DeJean took it home for the pick-six, generating his first interception in historic fashion.
After the game, speaking to PFSN, his excitement was off the charts. He spoke about his run back and even credited his teammates for making the score possible.
“Score a touchdown! 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.”
DeJean has quickly become a major fan favorite in Philadelphia. The rookie has been wowing Eagles faithful throughout the course of the season, and his Super Bowl performance might have made him a franchise legend immediately.
It also led to the Caesars Superdome, overwhelmingly Eagles fans, to roar out their approval and chant his name in unison. Speaking about the moment and the love from the crowd, the rookie corner was overwhelmed.
“It’s awesome. To hear that chant, to be able to score a touchdown is pretty cool,” DeJean added.
“I’m just happy to be here and be a part of this organization. We’ve got a great fanbase, and they support us all the way through the ups and downs. I know they’re back home partying on Broad Street right now.”
The party will go on from Broad Street to the Rocky Statue in Philadelphia. They have won their second Super Bowl, both within the last decade. Coincidentally, each helped stop a team from achieving a three-peat.