ODEBOLT, Iowa (KCAU) – NFL fans are preparing for the Super Bowl showdown between Kansas City and Philadelphia, with the game being extra-special for the Odebolt community as they’ll get to watch hometown product Cooper DeJean play for the Lombardi Trophy in his rookie year.
“People just can’t believe that we’ve got a local boy number one, playing for Iowa, number two, playing for the NFL, number three, starting his first year in the NFL, number four, Super Bowl his very first year. How cool is that?” Odebolt mayor Todd Bengford said.
“It’s been an unbelievable ride. We obviously never expected anything like this, but it’s been fun. Obviously, all of Cooper’s hard work has paid off, so it’s very rewarding for him. We’re excited to see that,” Cooper’s parents, Jason and Katie DeJean added.
Having watched DeJean from high school to college and to the NFL, the town of Odebolt and the surrounding community are thrilled to see the 21-year-old’s success.
“It’s exciting. Growing up you knew he was going to be an incredible athlete. I don’t think anyone envisioned what he would turn into,” OABCIG football head coach Larry Allen mentioned.
“He’s put the time in to be where he’s at. Stuff like this just doesn’t happen on its own. You have to put the time in, you have to be dedicated to what you are doing, so it’s credit to him,” Jason DeJean said.
-
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 8: Cooper DeJean #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) -
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 8: Cooper DeJean #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) -
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 08: Cooper DeJean #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after a play in the fourth quarter of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 08, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) -
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 08: Cooper DeJean #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off the field after a game against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 08, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 22-16. (Kara Durrette/Getty Images) -
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 08: Cooper DeJean #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on before playing the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 08, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) -
IOWA CITY, IA – NOVEMBER 11: Iowa Hawkeyes left corner back Cooper DeJean (3) as seen during a college football game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 11, 2023, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, IA. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) -
FILE – Iowa defensive back Cooper Dejean speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. The unprecedented run on quarterbacks, wide receivers and pass protectors in the NFL draft’s opening round pushed plenty of standout defenders down the board and allowed some of the top teams to select players who normally wouldn’t fall to them. DeJean is one of the best ballhawks in this class and also one of the best punt returners available, having averaged 13.1 yards per return over the last two seasons. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File) -
Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) returns a punt during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Western Michigan, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) -
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 30: Defensive back Cooper DeJean #3 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs a punt return down the sideline during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Kinnick Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
“You work hard, you dream big, set goals and you can achieve great things and he’s the living proof of that where small-town Odebolt, small OABCIG, and you can hear the chants of ‘Coop’ coming through the TV,” OABCIG principal and assistant football coach Travis Chizek said.
When it comes to Super Bowl Sunday, there will be one player everybody is rooting for, whether they are a Chiefs or Eagles fan.
“There’s a lot of Chiefs fans around here, but they can’t help but root for the Eagles and Cooper because they’re so excited about it,” Bengford said.
“I’ve never been an Eagles fan. I was a Chiefs fan, or have been a Chiefs fan forever, so that will be a tough Sunday for me, but we’re definitely rooting for the Eagles,” Allen highlighted.
The DeJean family says they will be attending the Super Bowl in New Orleans while the town of Odebolt has planned a watch party at the community center.
“It’s special. To see him take his talents and be able to develop them and to make it where he’s at, it’s really rewarding,” Allen said.
Leave a Reply