Cooper Kupp Bio
Cooper Douglas Kupp (born June 15, 1993) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Eastern Washington Eagles, winning the Walter Payton Award as a junior. Kupp was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He had a breakout season in 2021 when he became the fourth player since the AFL-NFL Merger to lead the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Kupp received the Offensive Player of the Year Award and was the MVP of Super Bowl LVI over the Cincinnati Bengals; Jerry Rice is the only other wide receiver to accomplish those feats in a career. Kupp is the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision career leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He also holds the NFL record for most receiving yards in a combined season and postseason, posting 2,425 yards in the 2021 season.
Early Life and Background
Cooper Kupp was born in Yakima, Washington. He is the grandson of Jake Kupp, an NFL offensive lineman, and the son of Craig Kupp, an NFL quarterback. His family is one of only five in NFL history to have three generations selected in the NFL Draft. Kupp attended and graduated from A.C. Davis High School in Yakima in 2012, where he was a two-sport athlete in football and basketball. A two-way All-State selection, he earned first-team 4A All-State honors as a defensive back and honorable mention accolades as a wide receiver. Kupp was also named by the Seattle Times as a “White Chip” selection, as one of the top 100 prospects in the state of Washington. Kupp finished his senior season with 60 receptions for 1,059 yards and 18 touchdowns, helping his team come one game away from the Washington State 4A Playoffs. Despite his impressive high school career, Kupp finished without a single college football scholarship offer until three weeks after his senior season, when he received an offer from Eastern Washington.
Path to American Football
Kupp attended Eastern Washington University, where he signed to play for coach Beau Baldwin’s Eastern Washington Eagles football team in 2012 and redshirted that year. He was named Eastern’s Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year. In his redshirt freshman year, Kupp set numerous single-season school and national receiving records, including national freshman records for receiving yards (1,691) and total touchdown catches (21). He was named to the All-Big Sky Conference First-team and received the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman player in the FCS. Kupp continued to excel in his college career, finishing with 428 receptions and 6,464 yards, both FCS records. He was poised to break nearly every major FCS career receiving record during his final collegiate season.
Cooper Kupp Career
Early Career (2017-2020)
The Los Angeles Rams selected Cooper Kupp in the third round (69th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the seventh wide receiver drafted that year. Kupp made his NFL debut in the season-opening victory over the Indianapolis Colts, recording four receptions for 76 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown pass. He finished his rookie season with 62 receptions for 869 yards and five touchdowns. Kupp was named to the 2017 All-Rookie Team by the Pro Football Writers Association. In 2018, he became a starting wide receiver alongside Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks. Unfortunately, Kupp suffered a knee injury that ended his season prematurely. He returned in time for the 2019 season, finishing with 94 receptions for 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Breakthrough (2021)
Kupp’s performance throughout the 2021 season was one of the greatest statistical receiving seasons in NFL history. With the addition of quarterback Matthew Stafford, Kupp started the season strong, leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, earning him the receiving triple crown. He finished the season with 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns, setting numerous franchise records. Kupp’s remarkable postseason performance included being named Super Bowl MVP after scoring the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Notable Works and Milestones
Kupp’s signature work includes his record-setting 2021 season, where he not only led the league in key receiving categories but also earned the title of Super Bowl MVP. His achievements in the NFL have solidified his status as one of the top wide receivers in the league.
Cooper Kupp Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Cooper Kupp has received numerous nominations for his outstanding performances on the field, particularly during his breakout season in 2021.
Cooper Kupp Awards Won
Cooper Kupp has won several prestigious awards, including the Super Bowl MVP and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2021. He is also recognized as a Super Bowl champion and has earned multiple All-Pro selections.
Cooper Kupp Family
Cooper Kupp is married to Anna Croskrey, whom he met in high school. The couple has three sons and resides in Westlake Village, California, during the NFL season and Wilsonville, Oregon, during the offseason. Kupp is the son of former NFL quarterback Craig Kupp and the grandson of Jake Kupp, an NFL offensive lineman.
Personal Life
Kupp is known for his strong Christian faith and has developed close friendships with teammates, including former Rams quarterback Jared Goff. He has been described as a dedicated family man, balancing his professional career with his responsibilities as a husband and father.
