Iowa Football Great Cooper DeJean Embraces Newfound Stardom

Photo: Allen Linquist Cooper DeJean signs autographs in Des Moines while hosting a charity softball event.

It’s hard to imagine anyone having a better 2025 than Cooper DeJean.

Since the NFL rookie’s Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl in February, DeJean has zig-zagged across the country and attended many high-profile events—from the Kentucky Derby to a number of professional sporting events and even Iowa men’s basketball practices.

“I’ve been all over the place—running around—but it’s been fun,” he says. “I’ve gotten to experience a lot of things and meet a lot of cool people.”

A highlight for DeJean was hosting a charity softball event in June at Principal Park in Des Moines, which raised $75,000 to benefit University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Approximately 9,000 fans watched DeJean, some of his Eagles teammates, and former Hawkeyes—including C.J. Beathard (16BS), Dallas Clark (07BA), Jay Higgins (24BA), and Riley Moss (21BS)—compete in a home run derby and celebrity softball game.

“I was trying to find a way to give back, and I figured that would be a fun way to do it,” says DeJean. “The University of Iowa has given me so much, and Stead Family Children’s Hospital means so much to our football program, the university, and our state. I was happy to use the platform I have and raise money for a place that means a lot to me.”

DeJean—a native of Odebolt, Iowa—hasn’t forgotten his small-town roots, which he says keeps him humble. He credits Iowa’s football program for setting him up for a successful rookie season in the NFL. Despite having to wait six weeks to see the field due to a hamstring injury, DeJean started nine games, accumulated 50 tackles, and became just the second rookie in Super Bowl history to have an interception return for a touchdown.

“Iowa is a first-class program,” says DeJean. “The way you’re coached there prepared me really well. Just the way they teach football, the way they teach life in general, and what Coach Kirk Ferentz does for the student-athletes. The program has given me so much, and I wouldn’t be the player I am today if I didn’t go to the University of Iowa. I owe a lot to that program and the coaches.”

DeJean says it wasn’t a big adjustment to go from college to the pros, but what changed the most for him was life beyond football.

“In the NFL, you’re around people with families and kids, so outside of the building, you’re not going home to hang with your boys,” says DeJean. “Everybody’s going back to their family, so it’s a little different off the field. But, I literally get to do football all day, every day, which is fun. It’s what I love to do.”

While DeJean has enjoyed the past six months, he’s ready to get back to work—preparing for the Eagles’ season-opener on Sept. 4 against the Dallas Cowboys.

“I’m excited to be back with the guys and be out on the football field,” says DeJean.