
Iowa Will Have Only One Player Represented In Super Bowl 59
Super LIX is coming up and while most of us are sad our teams didn't make it, we'll still watch the game. Between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, 97 players total will be playing in or on the sidelines representing their teams and the college they came from.
After taking a look at both the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, I found that one, yes only one player between the two teams will represent the state of Iowa. Yes, that includes all three state colleges and the private colleges across the state.
If you're an Iowa Hawkeye fan, you know him very, very well. He's actually done great work this past season and he is up for the 2024 NFL Rookie of the Year award. Crazy enough, his name was the inspiration for my son's name.
The only player representing Iowa in Super Bowl 59... former Iowa Hawkeye Cooper DeJean.
DeJean To Be Sole Iowa Representative In Super Bowl
If you needed another reason to root against the Chiefs and you're from Iowa, the Chiefs have no players that will play in Super Bowl 59. The Eagles have only one, but it's one more than the Chiefs.
Cooper DeJean, 21 of Odebolt, Iowa, will be the lone Iowa representative in the upcoming Super Bowl. DeJean sports the No. 33 jersey and plays cornerback/defensive back for the Philidelphia Eagles.
DeJean has had 51 total tackles (38 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries in his first year in the NFL, according to his ESPN stat sheet.
At Iowa, DeJean was a great cornerback and one heck of a punt/kick returner. DeJean ended his season he had 41 total tackles and 3 INTs before getting hurt in a late-season practice.
Also in his final season, he had 241 yards in punt returns and 1 touchdown. He should have two touchdowns but we remember why that's not the case, don't we?
It Wasn't A Fair Catch
Let's take a trip back to October 21, 2023. At Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, the Iowa Hawkeye offense was doing terribly in the second half of the game against the Minnesota Gophers.
With 1:40 left to go in the game and Iowa down 12-10, Minnesota punted the ball to Iowa, and there to receive was Cooper DeJean. DeJean initially didn't catch the ball, but let it bounce once at the Iowa 49-yard line before grabbing it at the 46.
DeJean then returned the ball 54 yards to put Iowa ahead of Minnesota essentially securing the Hawkeyes win. That seemed to be the case until the officials announced a call no one had heard before: Invalid Fair Catch.
Cooper is also the name of my son so you know who I want to do well in Super Bowl 59.
Whichever team you're rooting for in the big game, if you're from Iowa, make sure you at least cheer on Cooper.
Best scenic drives in Iowa
Gallery Credit: Stacker
LOOK: Best counties to raise a family in Iowa
Gallery Credit: Stacker
LOOK: Which movies were filmed in Iowa?
Gallery Credit: Stacker
More From 97X





