Darius Cooper’s phone lit up Sunday night, and he still can’t say exactly how many messages were waiting for him.
What he does know is that the flood of texts, calls and congratulations came from all over - people “showing love” and “showing support” after the biggest moment of his NFL life. And by Thursday, Cooper was already doing what he said comes next: keeping his head down and moving on.
Cooper, 24, delivered the game-winning touchdown in Tennessee on Sunday afternoon, hauling in the catch that finished the Eagles’ comeback in a 24-20 win at Nissan Stadium. It was his first NFL touchdown, and it came in the kind of moment most young players only dream about.
“Definitely a blessing for that to be the first one, how it played out,” Cooper said. “Got the ball, going to frame it probably.
Gonna frame it and definitely keep that for the rest of my life. Probably show my kids one day.”
The messages kept coming from people who have been part of his journey for a long time, including college friends from Tarleton State and family members he hadn’t spoken to in a while. The reaction around the Eagles made it clear that Cooper’s rise has been noticed inside the building, too.
“I don’t think there’s any surprise on what type of player he is, how he shows up, the character he has and how he works,” quarterback Jalen Hurts said. “He’s been able to show up and he’s been willing to do all the things that can help the team be in the best place.
I’m proud of him. And excited to see him grow.
He’s got an old soul. Sometimes you forget how young in his career he is.
He’s going to be great.”
The support is easy to understand. Cooper had to make the team as a UDFA from Tarleton State last year, then fight for his place again this season after the Eagles added a bunch of receivers in the offseason. He answered with a strong training camp and kept proving he belonged.
Britain Covey said the bond teammates feel with Cooper goes beyond just watching him make plays.
“You want everybody on your team to win but there’s certain guys that feel almost like a little brother in that his success truly means something,” Covey said of Cooper. “You see the work that they put in and you care so much about them because they care so much about the team.
Just great. Genuine happiness from everyone.”
DeVonta Smith was just as fired up, even though the touchdown sequence was originally drawn up for him. Smith slipped early in the play and was still on the turf when Cooper got airborne and made the catch. Smith celebrated hard from the scorching field as soon as the play was over.
“That was awesome,” Cooper said of Smith’s reaction. “During the play I didn’t even realize he slipped.
I think of course he was happy for me, but I know he was excited for himself too because he had one great drive. A game-winning drive.
I was happy for him and J and the offensive line. The whole team.
That was a team game for sure and we got the win and it felt great.”
Nick Sirianni called it a complete team win, and the conditions made sure the Eagles had to earn it. The turf at Nissan Stadium reached 157 degrees, adding another layer of difficulty to a game already packed with adversity.
Cooper said he didn’t even realize part of his cleat had melted until he was getting ready for practice on Thursday. It was one more reminder of a day he won’t forget anytime soon.
Still, the Eagles had already moved on. By Thursday afternoon, they were deep into their preparation for the Bears, with the win over the Titans already on tape and in the rearview mirror.
“It was cool, but now we back to work,” Cooper said. “We’re back to work and we’re moving on. That game is in the past."
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