For the second time in his career, Cooper Kupp is a Super Bowl champion. The Seattle Seahawks rolled over the New England Patriots 29-13 on the way to their second Lombardi trophy in franchise history.
Kupp was the leading receiver for the Seahawks in the Super Bowl with six receptions for 61 yards. In a game where every yard seemed to be a struggle for both teams to gain, Kupp converted huge first downs to continue drives and lead to points. It wasn’t flashy, but it got the job done.
However, on the Seahawks lone offensive touchdown, a 16-yard pass from quarterback Sam Darnold to tight end AJ Barner, almost ended in disaster.
Avoiding Disaster
On the post-Super Bowl edition of the “New Heights” podcast, Cooper Kupp was a guest on the show, and he discussed how the Seahawks narrowly avoided a mistake on AJ Barner’s touchdown reception.
“I’m so pumped for Barnyard, man. His touchdown was almost a disaster,” Kupp said. “There was a problem, I think it was on the wristband. But we called the play, I think Jaxon [Smith-Njigba] is out at the time he’s going through his protocol to get back out. The call ended up being like the formation was backwards to what the play call was. I see AJ running towards, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. I’m about to run the wrong route.’ So I changed it on the fly. We almost had a complete disaster. We got it done.”
Kupp wasn’t even sure if Barner was aware of him changing his route on the fly, and later, when Barner was a guest on the show, he confirmed he wasn’t aware that the play call almost went south.
“I heard Yada Yada Y Scisscors, and I’m like ‘Alright bet. I know the play. Air this thing out. I know where to line up. You boys line up. Let’s get this damn play called,’” Barner said.
The Super Bowl was just a microcosm of the impact that Kupp has had on the Seahawks as a leader this season.
Kupp’s Leadership
Cooper Kupp came to the Seahawks in free agency this season with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. The Los Angeles Rams had cut the former Super Bowl MVP and Triple Crown-winning receiver after a dcrease in production. Kupp came to Seattle ready for a fresh start in his home state.
The Seahawks didn’t bring Kupp in just for his production on the field, but for his winning mindset and leadership off the field as well. From his attention to detail to the preparation he puts in each day, Kupp led by example.
Chris Biderman of the Tacoma News Tribune wrote about Kupp and his leadership in his February 5 article. In that article, quarterback Sam Darnold discussed Kupp’s positive impact on the team.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Coop. What he’s meant to our offense, not only our offense but our team. The mindset that he has,” Darnold said. “The way he leads by example. If he does say things, he’s one of those guys where the entire room is dead silent. And they’re super focused on what he’s saying because we know that he doesn’t waste his breath. He’s always going to be able to say something very mindful. For us, speaking for the players, but also the coaches, he’s had a huge impact on all of us in that building. Really fun playing for Coop and what he’s brought to all of us.”
Kupp’s veteran leadership helped turn what could have been a disastrous play into a touchdown and the Seahawks into Super Bowl champions.
Cooper Kupp Says Super Bowl Touchdown Was Almost a Disaster