NEW ORLEANS -- Former University of Iowa consensus All-American Cooper DeJean had a birthday to remember as the National Football League rookie scored a touchdown and is a Super Bowl Champion. DeJean and the Philadelphia Eagles posted a dominating 40-22 victory over Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday.
DeJean intercepted Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and returned the theft 38 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. It was DeJean’s first interception in the NFL. DeJean also finished with three tackles and three punt returns for 27 yards.
It was only a matter of time!
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) February 10, 2025
First interception and pick 6 for @cdejean23 comes on the biggest stage!#SuperBowlLIX x #NFLHawks pic.twitter.com/bGNcMOFEwO
DeJean, who turned 22 on Sunday, became the youngest player in NFL history to score a defensive touchdown on his birthday (regular or postseason). Additionally, he is just the second player all-time to score a touchdown on a birthday in an NFL championship game. The other player, Steve Van Buren, who scored a game-winning touchdown in the 1948 NFL Championship, also played for the Eagles.
DeJean becomes the first forner Hawkeye to score a Super Bowl touchdown since Tim Dwight in Super Bowl XXXIII. Dwight returned a kickoff 94 yards for a score for the Atlanta Falcons.