RENTON, Wash. — Learn and react. That isn’t simply what Cooper Kupp does on the soccer discipline, adjusting his cross path to get open. It’s what he does in his free time, too, tearing by means of shut to 2 dozen books in the course of the NFL season.
The Seattle Seahawks receiver, as soon as a star with the Rams, is an enthusiastic reader of each nonfiction and fiction, and buys further copies of a few of his favorites — “Tuesdays with Morrie” and “When Breath Becomes Air” — handy out to associates.
Simply as when he’s poring over the playbook, the bearded bookworm reads with pen in hand or prepared to notice one thing on his cellphone.
“If I haven’t underlined anything in the first day or two, it’s hard to keep going,” mentioned Kupp, 32, at present studying “Heart and Steel” by former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Invoice Cowher. “I mark pages, highlight, screenshot.
“If I’m not learning something, a book better transport me.”
Kupp was transported final offseason, and never by his selecting. The Rams launched him to make room for receiver Davante Adams, parting methods with considered one of their hottest gamers, an architect of rebuilding a fan base in Los Angeles, and Most Invaluable Participant of their Tremendous Bowl win within the 2021 season.
1. Rams vast receiver Cooper Kupp holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the staff’s Tremendous Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 13, 2022. 2. Kupp and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford have a good time after successful Tremendous Bowl LVI. 3. Kupp will get a hug from Rams defensive deal with Aaron Donald after the staff’s victory in Tremendous Bowl LVI. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Occasions)
The reunion occurs Sunday when the 7-2 Rams play host to the 7-2 Seahawks in an NFC West showdown, Kupp’s first return to SoFi Stadium after spending the primary eight seasons of his professional profession in Southern California.
“It’ll be mixed emotions,” Kupp advised The Occasions after follow final week. “I have so much gratitude for the people there. But I’m going down there to play a game. I’ve spent countless hours preparing to beat that team.”
There was a time when Kupp was a focus of the Rams offense, however he ultimately receded a bit into the background as Puka Nacua started to ascend. By the top of his run there, Kupp was a seasoned elder statesman, nonetheless contributing but additionally serving to youthful gamers fine-tune their sport.
He has continued that function with the Seahawks, a comparatively younger staff. By all accounts, Kupp has performed a important function within the growth of third-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the primary participant to succeed in 1,000 yards receiving this season.
Kupp is the staff’s second-leading receiver, with 26 catches for 367 yards and a landing. He’s had ups and downs, lacking a sport due to accidents to his hamstring and heel, throwing an interception on a failed flea-flicker, and tearing off a 67-yard acquire in a catch and carry in final Sunday’s 44-22 thrashing of the Cardinals.
Seahawks vast receiver Cooper Kupp and quarterback Sam Darnold discuss earlier than a sport in opposition to the Houston Texans on Oct. 20.
(Steph Chambers / Getty Pictures)
“[Kupp] is unbelievable, not just as a player but as a person,” Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold mentioned. “He’s one of the best dudes I’ve ever been around. He’s in the quarterback room all the time, and I’m learning so much from him. Honestly, I’m learning way more from him than he is from me.”
This hasn’t been a simple transition for Kupp, though he returned to his house state. He was raised in Yakima, Wash., a two-hour drive from Seattle, and performed collegiately at Japanese Washington. Anna and Cooper Kupp have three younger sons.
“This is where I grew up, my wife’s home, but it’s not where our home was,” Kupp mentioned. “We built something cool in L.A., raised our boys there. That was home. We’ll always want to be in L.A. in some capacity. We’re making home here now, but it’s seven months versus 8½ years there.
“Our boys grew up in California, barefoot outside at breakfast. It’ll be a new adventure to see how they adapt to fall and winter here.”
Kupp is having fun with taking extra of a management function with the Seahawks.
“Here, there are younger guys getting significant reps,” he mentioned. “I can be more of a voice, sharing processes, things that have helped me. The coaches have been great. My goal is to be a multiplier, to lift people up, to get us all on the same page at a high level.”
Seahawks vast receiver Cooper Kupp spends a second with considered one of his sons earlier than a sport in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 7.
(Amanda Loman / Getty Pictures)
In his later seasons with the Rams, he let his beard go wild. It spilled over and effectively beneath his chinstrap. Now, he wears it neatly trimmed, however has embraced the Seattle look of untucked flannel shirts and denims.
Is he pleased?
“Happy?” he mentioned, pondering the phrase. “I love the challenge. I’m excited to come to work. But I don’t live asking, ‘Am I happy?’ We think about ourselves too much. When you stop living for yourself and start pouring into others — family, teammates, friends — you find more fulfillment.
“I want people excited when I walk into a room because they know I’ll be there for them.”
That’s a philosophy Craig and Karin Kupp emphasised with their 4 kids: you wish to reside in a room of home windows not mirrors.
“In the mirror room, you’re looking inward, only seeing yourself,” mentioned Ketner Kupp, Cooper’s youthful brother and now defensive coordinator at Pacific Lutheran College in Tacoma, Wash.
“In the window room, you can’t really see yourself. You’re looking out, seeing others and being selfless. That’s how we try to live.”
Seahawks vast receiver Cooper Kupp warms up earlier than a sport in opposition to the Houston Texans on Oct. 20.
(Steph Chambers / Getty Pictures)
Not surprisingly, Kupp’s mother and father and siblings love having him close by.
“It’s been super fun,” mentioned Ketner, who drafted his brother in two completely different fantasy leagues. “I’ve never really rooted for one team before, even being from Washington, but this has been awesome. There’s so much energy around the Seahawks here, and it’s fun to be a part of that.”
His older brother, lover of books, has efficiently turned the web page.
