Yakima Looks For A High Honor For Her Low-Key Super Bowl Champ

Before the Rams could win the Super Bowl, they had to get there first.

To get there they had to beat Tom Brady and the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Kupp Best When It Counts Most

With just 28 seconds on the clock and the score tied at 27 -27,  Rams Quarterback Matt Stafford throws deep, and there at the ten-yard line Yakima's sure-handed Cooper Kupp makes the catch and sets up the game-winning field goal with 4 seconds left in the game.   9 catches, 183 yards, and a touchdown. Mission accomplished. On to the Super Bowl.

Wait...I'm sorry...I got ahead of myself.  I forgot to mention the previous playoff game (which you have to win to get to the division championship) against the San Francisco 49er's in which Kupp finished with 11 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-17 Rams win.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Kupp's extraordinary regular season has been described as arguably the best wide receiver season ever. Kupp led the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947), and touchdown receptions (16). As a result, he became just the fourth player since 1970 to win the receiving triple crown, joining Jerry Rice (San Francisco 49ers, 1990), Sterling Sharpe (Green Bay Packers, 1992), and Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers, 2005).

But the job wasn't done.   A little more work yet to do.  The Cincinnati Bengals were waiting. Kupp and company were ready. Two touchdowns including the game-winner with 1:25 left in the game.

Any Time Left For A Local Celebration

Since then life is a blur..."Hey Cooper Kupp, you've just won the Super Bowl and were named MVP...what's next?"  Yup, he and his family were going to Disneyland!  Then a trip to Vegas, a Hollywood parade, honors and awards, and all the hoopla he has surely earned.

But that's the thing about Kupp, he's really not driven by individual honors and recognition.  The ultimate team player finds that kind of spotlight a little too bright, which leaves the folks back home in Yakima wondering what kind of celebration to hold to honor the favorite son and football hero.

Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney came on the radio this morning to talk about the behind-the-scenes efforts to come up with a super community celebration that fits with the low-key style of Yakima's humble Super Bowl Champ and MVP.

Stay tuned, as plans are finalized, you'll hear them here and you'll want to be there when Coop comes home.

Finally, one last conversation about the greatness of Kupp...cuz it just never gets old!