IDA GROVE, Iowa — Students at Odebolt-Arthur-Battle Creek-Ida Grove High School were going about their normal Monday classes, but there was a buzz in the air over the school’s now famous alum, Cooper DeJean.

DeJean was a starter in the Super Bowl. He intercepted a pass from the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, and ran it back for a touchdown.

DeJean first made a name for himself as a quarterback leading OABCIG to back-to-back Iowa state football championships, before starting as a defensive back at Iowa. His high school coach thought DeJean might come up with an interception.

“I had mentioned that, that this might be the time that he gets an interception you know just with as much as Kansas City throws the ball that I thought his opportunity was there,” said Larry Allen, football coach at the school. “He just did a great job of dropping back into coverage and it was kind of anticipating he’s going to throw it and then for him to run it all the way back across the field, it was a little bit like the state championship game when he went from one side to the other.”

Students at the school recounted how they were watching the game when the big play happened.

“I looked at my TV and saw Cooper at a pic and I didn’t, honestly didn’t think he’s gonna make it.” said Brysen Kolar, a member of the OABCIG football team. “As soon as I saw that missed first tackle I was like he’s got that in the bag.”

“I knew he was going to do something, it was his birthday,” said Andrew Parks, an OABCIG football player. “Everyone was talking about that, he always performs when he needs to most, when he got that my first instinct was, he’s going to take it for six isn’t he?”

“Northwest Iowa loves him,” said Allen. “You know he’s a blue collar kind of kid that shows everybody that if you work hard good things will come to you, and he’s helped elevate our football program since he’s been in school.”

The school said one of the proudest moments was when DeJean walked into the stadium wearing his OABCIG letter Jacket.

“Hey, I’ve got one just like that,” said Kolar. “Pretty cool.”

The students and staff at the school say they look forward to when DeJean comes back home for a visit, and can share what it’s like for a small town guy to play with the whole world watching.

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