Super Bowl sensation Cooper DeJean has been totally “on” in his first NFL offseason

CEDAR RAPIDS — The first five months of Cooper DeJean’s 23rd year of life have included a lot of public adoration and a lot of fun stuff.

It would be hard to top his 22nd birthday, of course, when DeJean intercepted a Patrick Mahomes pass at the Kansas City Chiefs’ 38-yard line and returned it for a touchdown. As a rookie cornerback. From Iowa. In his Philadelphia Eagles’ 40-22 win. In the Super Bowl.

DeJean had already stamped himself as an Eagle of prominence. He was a finalist for Associated Press’ NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. That pick-6, though, gave Philadelphia’s heart to him.

He has used a lot of his offseason personal time to enjoy himself in other sports, and enjoyment for him is competition. He hasn’t just shown up, he’s shown out.

At the May 30 Roots Picnic Celebrity Basketball Game in Philly, DeJean had a game-high 25 points playing with NFL players and rappers.

The week before that, the Eagles held a team-building event at Philadelphia’s renowned Palestra basketball gym. The video that went viral from that was of star running back Saquon Barkley flipping the ball between his legs and off the backboard and DeJean grabbing the carom and hammering down a dunk.

While in Iowa City to train in mid-June, DeJean dropped by Carver-Hawkeye Arena and hooped with Hawkeyes men’s coach Ben McCollum in a pickup game. He showed off his dunking and driving skills in a video the basketball program put out, but perhaps the best moment was of DeJean defending.

McCollum, who still has game at 44, changed directions and seemingly left DeJean behind for a layup. But DeJean immediately caught up and swatted McCollum’s shot off the glass.

It hasn’t just been basketball. On June 1, DeJean hosted a celebrity softball game at Des Moines’ Principal Park in front of 9,000 fans, raising $75,000 for University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. A slew of NFL players and former Hawkeyes were there.

DeJean’s team defeated the team of his former Iowa teammate and current Denver Bronco cornerback, Riley Moss, 13-0.

Last Saturday in Allentown, Pa., DeJean joined several other Eagles players at wide receiver DaVonta Smith’s annual softball game. The winner of the home run derby? DeJean, whose 14 dingers easily topped everyone else.

Oh, he hit them in a total of 90 seconds. And, he made a running, sliding catch in right field. He was playing center field.

On Monday, however, DeJean met his athletic kryptonite. He was a first-timer at the Zach Johnson Foundation Classic golf event at Elmcrest Country Club, and guess what? His game is ordinary.

“I’ve got to get better at golf,” DeJean said between holes late in his round. “It’s a little inconsistent right now, but I’m trying to work on it.”

Which mattered not, except to him. DeJean’s presence at the ZJFC certainly was appreciated. No other pro or celebrity came close to getting as many requests for autographs and photos. DeJean accommodated a lot of children wearing Eagles and Hawkeyes garb. Plenty of adults were tickled to get their pictures taken with him.

As crazy as how quickly DeJean transformed from a Hawkeye standout to an NFL impact player is how he went from being a quiet guy from little Odebolt, Iowa, to sports royalty in Philadelphia. The city has embraced him. And vice versa.

Who was taking a crash course in making drinks in a club on the Jersey Shore last week for former Eagle Jason Kelce’s annual celebrity bartending event to raise money to for the Eagles Autism Foundation? DeJean.

When DeJean showed up for the 10-mile Eagles Autism Foundation bicycle ride on May 17 that started and ended at the team’s home stadium, he got the most screams from the crowd of any player.

“It was like 1964 and the Beatles had just shown up. Total bananas,” wrote Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

“I love being in Philadelphia,” DeJean said Monday. “Obviously it’s a little different than Iowa. It’s always good to be back here and give back a little bit.”

DeJean’s focus will soon return to just one sport. The Eagles’ training camp starts July 22. What does he do for an encore?

“Try to do it again,” he said.

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