The Philadelphia Eagles entered Super Bowl 59 ready to pressure the Kansas City Chiefs. However, it turned out that the Eagles didn\u2019t require additional pass rushers, as Philadelphia\u2019s relentless front four consistently pressured Patrick Mahomes, sacking the quarterback six times in the one-sided game.<\/p>\n
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Although the game ultimately slipped from the Chiefs’ grasp, turning into a lopsided defeat, Eagles\u2019 rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean had his highlight before the rout began. DeJean, the ex-Iowa Hawkeyes star, picked off a Mahomes throw in the first half and ran it back 38 yards for a touchdown, putting the Eagles ahead 17-0 midway through the second quarter.<\/p>\n
Although most Iowans celebrated as DeJean dashed across the field and into the end zone, one well-known former Hawkeye felt disheartened. WNBA star Caitlin Clark has been a devoted Chiefs fan her entire life. She found the team’s defeat at the hands of the Eagles hard to tolerate \u2013 even with her alum’s valiant attempts.<\/p>\n
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Although the game ultimately slipped from the Chiefs’ grasp, turning into a blowout, Eagles’ rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean experienced his highlight before the rout was fully underway. DeJean, the ex-Iowa Hawkeyes star, intercepted a Mahomes throw in the first half and ran it back 38 yards for a touchdown, extending the Eagles’ lead to 17-0 midway through the second quarter.<\/p>\n
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While the majority of Iowans celebrated as DeJean dashed across the field and reached the end zone, one well-known former Hawkeye felt disheartened. WNBA star Caitlin Clark has been a Chiefs fan her entire life. She struggled to endure the team’s defeat by the Eagles \u2013 even with her alum\u2019s valiant attempts.<\/p>\n
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However, to Clark\u2019s credit, she was able to set aside her heartbreak and contact DeJean to commend him on his remarkable achievement.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI believe that our trip to Iowa together was her way of expressing pride in me and offering congratulations… not only for scoring a touchdown but also for winning the biggest game in football during my first year.\u201d DeJean expressed gratitude for Clark sending that message, despite her being a Chiefs fan, on The Pivot Podcast, as reported by Hawk Central.<\/p>\n
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The remarkable pick-six stood out as one of the highlights of the Eagles\u2019 40-22 win \u2013 a match that was far less competitive than the score indicates. DeJean chose an amazing moment to achieve his first career interception and touchdown in the NFL.<\/p>\n
Although Clark extended her best wishes to DeJean prior to the game, her loyalty was never in question. Of course, she attended college alongside DeJean. However, Clark is truly a devoted Chiefs fan. She was also spotted in a suite with Taylor Swift at Kansas City’s divisional game against the Houston Texans.<\/p>\n
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The Eagles picked DeJean in the second round of the 2024 draft from Iowa. The young cornerback experienced a promising debut season, accumulating 51 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and six passes defended. And naturally, he concluded his inaugural season with a pick-six against Patrick Mahomes. It rarely improves beyond that.<\/p>\n
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DeJean assisted in elevating the Eagles from the 26th-ranked defense in 2023 to the top unit in the NFL by 2024. Nonetheless, his attempts are insignificant when matched against Clark\u2019s inaugural season in the WNBA. The Fever guard earned Rookie of the Year honors, received all-WNBA first team recognition, was selected as an All-Star, established league records, and played a key role in a significant increase in WNBA viewership.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, DeJean received the ring. Even though it happened at the Chiefs’ cost, it appears that Clark is able to value her fellow Hawkeye\u2019s outstanding accomplishment.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Philadelphia Eagles entered Super Bowl 59 ready to pressure the Kansas City Chiefs. However, it turned out that the Eagles didn\u2019t require additional pass rushers, as Philadelphia\u2019s relentless front four consistently pressured Patrick Mahomes, sacking the quarterback six times in the one-sided game. Although the game ultimately slipped from the Chiefs’ grasp, turning […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26382","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"\n